Light and flow regimes regulate the metabolism of rivers.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation drive much of the variation in productivity across Earth's terrestrial ecosystems but do not explain variation in gross primary productivity (GPP) or ecosystem respiration (ER) in flowing waters. We document substantial variation in the magnitude and seasonality of GPP and ER across 222 US rivers. In contrast to their terrestrial counterparts, most river ecosystems respire far more carbon than they fix and have less pronounced and consistent seasonality in their metabolic rates. We find that variation in annual solar energy inputs and stability of flows are the primary drivers of GPP and ER across rivers. A classification schema based on these drivers advances river science and informs management.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Bernhardt, ES; Savoy, P; Vlah, MJ; Appling, AP; Koenig, LE; Hall, RO; Arroita, M; Blaszczak, JR; Carter, AM; Cohen, M; Harvey, JW; Heffernan, JB; Helton, AM; Hosen, JD; Kirk, L; McDowell, WH; Stanley, EH; Yackulic, CB; Grimm, NB

Published Date

  • February 2022

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 119 / 8

Start / End Page

  • e2121976119 -

PubMed ID

  • 35165178

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC8872740

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1091-6490

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0027-8424

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1073/pnas.2121976119

Language

  • eng