Thinking outside the channel: modeling nitrogen cycling in networked river ecosystems

Authors

Ashley M. Helton, University of Georgia
Geoffrey C. Poole, University of Georgia
Judy L. Meyer, University of Georgia
Wilfred M. Wollheim, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
Bruce J. Peterson, Marine Biological Laboratory
Patrick J. Mulholland, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Emily S. Bernhardt, Duke University
Jack A. Stanford, University of Montana
Clay Arango, University of Notre Dame
Lee W. Cooper, University of Maryland
Walter K. Dodds, Kansas State University
Stanley V. Gregory, Oregon State University
Robert O. Hall Jr., University of Wyoming
Stephen K. Hamilton, Michigan State University
Sherri L. Johnson, US Forest Service
William H. McDowell, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
Jody D. Potter, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
Jennifer L. Tank, University of Notre Dame
Suzanne M. Thomas, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole
H. Maurice Valett, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Jackson R. Webster, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Lydia Zeglin, University of New Mexico

Abstract

Agricultural and urban development alters nitrogen and other biogeochemical cycles in rivers worldwide. Because such biogeochemical processes cannot be measured empirically across whole river networks, simulation models are critical tools for understanding river‐network biogeochemistry. However, limitations inherent in current models restrict our ability to simulate biogeochemical dynamics among diverse river networks. We illustrate these limitations using a river‐network model to scale up in situ measures of nitrogen cycling in eight catchments spanning various geophysical and land‐use conditions. Our model results provide evidence that catchment characteristics typically excluded from models may control river‐network biogeochemistry. Based on our findings, we identify important components of a revised strategy for simulating biogeochemical dynamics in river networks, including approaches to modeling terrestrial–aquatic linkages, hydrologic exchanges between the channel, floodplain/riparian complex, and subsurface waters, and interactions between coupled biogeochemical cycles.

Department

Earth Systems Research Center; New Hampshire EPSCoR

Publication Date

9-8-2010

Journal Title

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Publisher

Ecological Society of America (ESA)

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://dx.doi.org/10.1890/080211

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

Helton, A. M., G. C. Poole, J. L. Meyer, W. M. Wollheim, B. J. Peterson, P. J. Mulholland, E. S. Bernhardt, J. A. Stanford, C. Arango, L. R. Ashkenas, L. W. Cooper, W. K. Dodds, S. V. Gregory, R. O. Hall, S. K. Hamilton, S. L. Johnson, W. H. McDowell, J. D. Potter, J. L. Tank, S. M. Thomas, H. M. Valett, J. R. Webster, and L. Zeglin (2011), Thinking outside the channel: Modeling nitrogen cycling in networked river ecosystems, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 9: 229-238. doi:10.1890/080211.