RMRS - Stream Riparian Environments: Science Resource Center

Science Application & Integration

Sub-Fields
- Stream Temperature Modeling
- Watersheds
Scientists

Stream Riparian Environments

A riparian area is the interface between land and a stream. Soil conservation occurs in these biodiversified aquatic ecosystems. They can flourish in grassland, woodland, wetland, or even non-vegetative zones.

Stream riparian environments are of importance in that they support higher species richness and densities of wildlife. Riparian areas serve fish, birds, and wildlife with food, shelter, and water. These beautiful areas are more than often just a small percentage of the landscape, but are usually also the most diverse and productive plant and animal biomass zones.

These environments also lend benefit to society due to the multiple and intertwined ecological roles that stream riparian areas offer. They serve as migration routes and gateways to forests for many different species. Due to the linear shape of these areas, the frequency and variety of plant communities they come into contact with is very high. Therefore, riparian streams act as "living filters:" intercepting and absorbing sediments, storing and transforming nutrients and pollutants from adjacent surroundings that make their way to society's drinking water. Thanks to these habitats, up to 90% of nitrogen concentrations and 50% of phosphorus concentrations can be reduced. Excess of these elements would otherwise encourage undesirable growth of algae and weeds.

Stream Temperature Modeling Boise Lab Stream Temperature Modeling

Stream and river temperature is an important aspect of fish and other aquatic organisms' health and sustainability. Most species need cool water to survive--as natural streams regiments are altered due to human intervention (e.g. dams, irrigation withdrawals, deforestation, diversions, etc.), they are often found to exceed natural temperatures and thus the stream's water-quality is limited. Elevated stream temperatures can negatively impact cold-water fish species, such as threatened or endangered salmonids. Natural factors in stream temperature include atmospheric radiation, stream volume, surface area of the stream, shade, air temperature, water inflow and outflow, and changes in longitudinal temperature trajectories downstream of harvested areas (1997 Moore & Miner). Although the influences of stream temperature appear to be simple, we have much to learn about these complex processes (2003 Johnson, S).

Stream temperature modeling research is being conducted at the Boise Aquatic Sciences Lab, using inexpensive digital temperature loggers, geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing technologies to boost the development of temperature models useful at broad spatial scales.

Research Scientists: Dan Isaak (data & modeling)| Charlie Luce | Bruce Rieman

Science Professionals: David Nagel (GIS & Modeling) | Donna Horan (GIS & Modeling)

Watershed loop: Courtesy of the County of Berks, PA Conservation District Official Site

Photo Credit: Berks County, PA: Watershed Program

Watershed

The area that drains to a common waterway, such as a stream, lake, estuary, wetland, aquifer, or even the ocean is termed a watershed. Working together using a watershed approach will help protect our nation's water resources. Geographer John Wesley Powell, put it best when he described a watershed as:

"that area of land, a bounded hydrologic system, within which all living things are inextricably linked by their common water course and where, as humans settled, simple logic demanded that they become part of a community."

Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state, and national boundaries. No matter where you are, you're in a watershed! (EPA.gov).

Watershed biogeochemical research examines the atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic processes that regulate soil and water quality and that sustain forest productivity. Biogeochemical research helps land managers evaluate how well watershed conservation practices protect water quality and other aquatic resources (Chuck Rhoades, RMRS Biogeochemist). Back to Top

Watershed Scientists
Scientist	Research Interests

John Buffington
Research Geomorphologist