Assessing the influence of lithology on the temporal-spatial variability of sediment transport and its relation to primary production in mountain streams

初级生产力为地球上大多数生命提供了基本的能量来源，因此了解是什么控制着初级生产力是理解生态系统的关键。在溪流中，相关研究主要集中在光照和营养物质的影响上。底层地质和沉积物迁移的作用还没有得到很好的探讨。在源头溪流中占主导地位的藻类主要生活在岩石上。流动事件，调动这些岩石可以刮走藻类和重置系统的低生产水平。因此，了解河流中沉积物冲刷和磨蚀频率的控制对于了解初级生产的动态是至关重要的。该研究项目将有助于更好地理解生态系统和景观的共同进化。这一跨学科的研究项目将河流地貌学和河流生态学联系起来。目标是确定：（a）速度和剪切应力的空间变异性如何影响砾石层河流中的沉积物输运，（B）这些如何影响河段和斑块尺度的初级生产力，以及（c）底层基岩岩性对这些过程的控制作用。该项目将结合使用二维模型和收集现场测量的四个地点在俄勒冈州海岸山脉。这些地点是根据相似的气候、光照、营养和温度选择的，但不同的岩性可以隔离它所发挥的控制作用。该项目由一位早期职业西班牙裔女性调查员领导。与当地一所高中的合作将为教师提供研究经验，并让美国土著高中学生参与其中。

Primary production provides the fundamental source of energy for most life on earth, and therefore understanding what controls primary production is key to understanding ecosystems. In streams, relevant research has focused mainly on the influence of light and nutrients. The role of underlying geology and sediment transport has not been as well explored. The algae that dominate primary producers in headwater streams live on rocks. Flow events that mobilize those rocks can scrape algae away and reset the system to low production levels. Understanding controls on the frequency of sediment scour and abrasion in a stream is therefore fundamental to understanding the dynamics of primary production. This research project will contribute to a better understanding of the coevolution of ecosystems and landscapes.This interdisciplinary research project links fluvial geomorphology and stream ecology. The goal is to determine: (a) how spatial variability in velocity and shear stress affect sediment transport in gravel-bedded streams, (b) how these affect primary productivity at reach and patch scale, and (c) what control underlying bedrock lithology exerts on these processes. This project will couple the use of a 2D model and the collection of field measurements in four sites in the Oregon Coast Range. The sites have been selected based on similar climate, light, nutrients, and temperature, but different lithology to isolate the controls it exerts. The project is led by an early career Hispanic female investigator. Collaboration with a local high school will provide a research experience for teachers and involve Native American high school students.