The effects of geology on stream ecosystem structure and function, while often presumed, remain controversial and have not been factored into current stream ecosystem theory. Geological influences on ecosystems are diverse and include interactive components of streams and their watersheds. This project will address the following features in multiple watersheds in different geological regions: (1) basic physico.chemical features of watersheds (e.g. basin shape, soil characteristics, vegetation patterns, channel morphology), (2) detailed hydrologic patterns of streams (annual and storm hydrographs, rainfall/runoff relationships, etc.), and (3) biological characteristics, including biomass and /or productivity measurements of multiple trophic levels in streams. The University of Alabama is ideally situated to initiate these studies because of its proximity to 4 major geological regions which are in a climatically similar area. These include the Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain provinces. The investigations will include watersheds in the first three provinces, which have steams with predominantly bedrock, cobble substrata. The results of this research should enhance understanding of geological influences in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, strengthen the predictive capabilities of existing stream theories, and provide general information on geology as a determinant of ecosystem organization and productivity. The institutional support for this project are more than adequate and the investigators are well qualified.
