Connectivity and fragmentation of flood plain-river exchanges in a semiarid, anabranching river system

Heather McGinness, Martin Thoms, Mark Southwell

    Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in BookConference contributionpeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The ecological integrity of flood plain-river systems is dependent
    upon hydrological connections between the main river channel and adjacent
    flood plain. These connections facilitate the exchange of carbon and nutrients
    and influence productivity. This paper considers carbon dynamics during
    phases of connection and disconnection in a large lowland river in southeast
    Australia. Data are presented on carbon stores in a number of anabranch
    channels during the disconnection phase, and the potential availability of
    dissolved organic carbon from these channels during the connection phase.
    Anabranch channels are an important physical patch type in this flood plainriver system, containing significant quantities of various carbon sources.
    During flooding these channels are potentially important sources of dissolved
    organic carbon for the main river channel. However, water resource
    development has reduced this potential supply of carbon by reducing
    hydrological connectivity between the anabranches and the main river
    channel. These changes have implications for the transfer of energy through
    the food web and hence also for the functioning of the ecosystem as a whole
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationThe Structure, Function and Management Implications of Fluvial Sedimentary Systems
    Subtitle of host publication(Proceedings of an international symposium held at Alice Springs, Australia, September 2002
    EditorsFiona J. Dyer, Martin C. Thoms, Jon M. Olley
    Place of PublicationOxfordshire
    PublisherIAHS Press
    Pages19-26
    Number of pages8
    ISBN (Print)9781901502961
    Publication statusPublished - 2002
    EventInternational Symposium on the Structure, Function and Management Implications of Fluvial Sedimentary Systems - Alice Springs, Alice Springs, Australia
    Duration: 2 Sept 20026 Sept 2002

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Symposium on the Structure, Function and Management Implications of Fluvial Sedimentary Systems
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    CityAlice Springs
    Period2/09/026/09/02

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