Patterns of Metabolism and Organic Matter Resource Availability Along a Tallgrass Prairie Stream Continuum <p> HR: <span class="hr"> 1330h<br></span> AN: <span class="an"> NB33I-18 <a href="../absbook/sm05_NB33I.html">[Abstracts]</a><br></span> TI: <span class="ti"> Patterns of Metabolism and Organic Matter Resource Availability Along a Tallgrass Prairie Stream Continuum AU: <span class="au"> * Stone, M L<br></span> EM: <span class="em"> mlstone@siu.edu<br></span> AF: <span class="af"> Southern Illinois University, Department of Zoology, Carbondale, IL 62901 United States <br></span> AU: <span class="au"> Whiles, M R<br></span> EM: <span class="em"> mwhiles@zoology.siu.edu<br></span> AF: <span class="af"> Southern Illinois University, Department of Zoology, Carbondale, IL 62901 United States <br></span> AB: <span class="ab"> Stream metabolism and organic matter resources were quantified in a grassy headwater, shrubby mid-reach, and forested lower reach of a tallgrass prairie stream. Reach-level metabolism was estimated seasonally using the single station method and monthly benthic samples were used to estimate organic matter resources during 2003-2004. Average net metabolism for the grassy headwater, shrubby mid-reach, and gallery forest was -0.008gO<sub>2</sub>/m<sup>2</sup>/d, -0.028gO<sub>2</sub>/m<sup>2</sup>/d, and -0.026gO<sub>2</sub>/m<sup>2</sup>/d, respectively. Average coarse particulate organic material (CPOM, >1mm) totals were 69gAFDM/m<sup>2</sup> in the grassy headwaters, 161g AFDM/m<sup>2</sup> in the shrubby mid-reaches, and 107gAFDM/m<sup>2</sup> in the gallery forest. Within CPOM, miscellaneous unidentified materials, grass, and aquatic macrophytes dominated the grassy headwaters (39%, 27%, and 14%, respectively), while leaves (57%) were dominant in the shrubby mid-reaches, and leaves (48%) and wood (30%) were co-dominant in the gallery forest. Average fine particulate organic matter (<1mm>250μm) standing stocks ranged from 56gAFDM/m<sup>2</sup> in the headwaters to 17gAFDM/m<sup>2</sup> in the gallery forest. Very fine particulate organic matter (<250μm) ranged from 404gAFDM/m<sup>2</sup> in the grassy headwaters to 217gAFDM/m<sup>2</sup> in the gallery forest. As predicted by the River Continuum Concept, we found patterns of changing energy resources along this prairie stream continuum, but they differed from the specific RCC predictions for streams with forested headwaters. <br></span> DE: <span class="de"> 1800 HYDROLOGY<br></span> SC: <span class="sc"> North American Benthological Society [NB]<br></span> MN: <span class="mn"> 2005 Joint Assembly<br></span></p></body></html>