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Research article2017Peer reviewed

Effects of beaver impoundments on dissolved organic matter quality and biodegradability in boreal riverine systems

Catalan, N.; Ortega, S. Herrero; Grontoft, H.; Hilmarsson, T. G.; Bertilsson, S.; Wu, Pianpian; Levanoni, Oded; Bishop, K.; Bravo, A. G.

Abstract

Beaver impoundments modify the structure of river reaches and lead to changes in ecosystem function and biogeochemical processes. Here, we assessed the changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) quality and the biodegradation patterns in a set of beaver systems across Sweden. As the effect of beaver impoundments might be transient and local, we compared DOM quality and biodegradability of both pond and upstream sections of differentially aged beaver systems. Newly established dams shifted the sources and DOM biodegradability patterns. In particular, humic-like DOM, most likely leached from surrounding soils, characterized upstream sections of new beaver impoundments. In contrast, autochthonous and processed compounds, with both higher biodegradation rates and a broader spectrum of reactivities, differentiated DOM in ponds. DOM in recently established ponds seemed to be more humic and less processed compared to older ponds, but system idiosyncrasies determined by catchment particularities influenced this ageing effect.

Keywords

Beaver; Ponds; Dissolved organic matter; Biodegradability

Published in

Hydrobiologia
2017, Volume: 793, number: 1, pages: 135-148
Publisher: SPRINGER

      SLU Authors

        • Associated SLU-program

        Lakes and watercourses

        Sustainable Development Goals

        SDG15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

        UKÄ Subject classification

        Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
        Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

        Publication identifier

        DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-2766-y

        Permanent link to this page (URI)

        https://res.slu.se/id/publ/82674