Nitrogen Loss and Carbon use in a Large River Floodplain Ecosystem

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Human activities have caused widespread changes in the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen in many U.S. streams and rivers. Increases in nutrients can compromise water quality, disrupt normal ecological processes, and in extreme cases, pose serious human health risks. Thus, there is a pressing need to reduce nutrient concentrations in these ecosystems. Our goal is to determine if and how floodplains can act as filters for removing excess nitrogen from the Wisconsin River. We will investigate the effectiveness of floodplains in removing nitrogen during flooding, and how this ability is influenced by the composition of the floodplain forest. Leaves from floodplain trees provide the fuel for nitrogen removal from river water, so any change in the amount or type of this fuel potentially affects nitrogen removal. Results will be published in the scientific literature and shared with organizations involved in nutrient management and river restoration projects.