Effects of Watershed Disturbance on Stream Seston Characteristics

Abstract

In many ecosystems disturbances are short-lived, and recovery can be followed as a gradual return to predisturbance conditions in the absence of further disturbance. However, the impact of watershed disturbances such as logging, fire, hurricanes, volcanoes, insect outbreaks, etc. on streams is long-term, often lasting as long as recovery of watershed vegetation to predisturbance structure and function (Webster and Patten 1979; Gurtz et al. 1980). Webster et al. (1983) noted that streams are easily disturbed, i.e., exhibit relatively low resistance to disturbance (sensu Webster et al. 1975), but have the potential to recover rapidly following disturbance, i.e., high resilience. However, if the disturbance continues, this potential resilience cannot be realized.