The presence and activity of denitrifying bacteria as well as bacteria capable of reducing sulfate in 1 upland and 5 riparian soils of a mountain watershed in Wyoming were studied. Bacteria were enumerated from soil samples collected during summer along transects placed perpendicular to stream flow. Samples were taken at 3 depths within each plant community. Subsamples were frozen and later uti...

Surface water and groundwater systems are connected with the head gradient between the river and the nearby aquifer controlling the magnitude and direction of the exchange flux between the two systems. The direction of the flux dictates whether the river gains water from the nearby aquifer, or loses water to it. The exchange between groundwater and rivers is a key component influencing not only...

Fig trees (Ficus) are often ecologically significant keystone species because they sustain populations of the many seed-dispersing animals that feed on their fruits. They are prominent components of riparian zones where they may also contribute to bank stability as well as supporting associated animals. The diversity and distributions of riparian fig trees in deciduous and evergreen forests in ...

We investigated the influence of riparian and whole watershed land use as a function of stream size on surface water chemistry and assessed regional variation in these relationships. Sixty-eight watersheds in four level III U.S. EPA ecoregions in eastern Kansas were selected as study sites. Riparian land cover and watershed land use were quantified for the entire watershed, and by Strahler orde...

For 2 grazing seasons, effects of pasture size, stream access, and off-stream water on cow distribution relative to a stream were evaluated in six 12.1-ha cool-season grass pastures. Two pasture sizes (small [4.0 ha] and large [12.1 ha]) with 3 management treatments (unrestricted stream access without off-stream water [U], unrestricted stream access with off-stream water [UW], and stream access...

Incomplete knowledge of the ecological functions of small streams and their riparian zones, particularly their roles in larger watershed and landscape contexts, contributes to confusion and debate about the levels of riparian vegetation retention required along small streams for the purpose of protecting aquatic ecosystems, riparian wildlife, and water quality. As a consequence, there are marke...

Being able to identify riparian sites that function better for nitrate removal from groundwater is critical to using efficiently the riparian zones for water quality management. For this purpose, managers need a method that is quick, inexpensive, and accurate enough to enable effective management decisions. This study assesses the precision and accuracy of a simple method using three ground wat...

Bioremediation of Contaminated Riparian Zones Using Mycorrhizal Fungi – An Exploration of the Feasibility of Restoration Through Mycoremediation

In the European Union, mitigation measures to abate diffuse pollution from agricultural land are implemented under the direction of the EU Nitrates and Water Framework Directives. As these measures are implemented in national policies, a review process will look at the efficacy of the measures with a view to recommending further measures as necessary and following scientific and stakeholder con...

Deforestation does not progress randomly throughout landscapes (Viana et al., 1997; Ezard & Travis, 2006; Silva et al., 2007) because of the non-random spatial distribution of land suitable for specific human activities and laws that often protect particular habitats or vegetation types. Riparian vegetation, for example, is protected by law in many countries (Gregory et al., 1991). Thus, if enf...