Tributary Junction Study - Watershed Program - Environmental Conservation

Tributaries, such as those in the Upper Cedar River, provide nutrients, woody debris and sediment to downstream reaches. (The Upper Cedar River, near one of its tributaries.)

Tributaries, such as Falls Creek entering Bacon Creek
(pictured; Skagit River watershed), provide nutrients, organic matter, and sediment to downstream reaches

Project Title

Tributary junctions: hotspots of biological diversity and productivity?

Description

Although headwater streams comprise 75-90% of total river length in most Pacific Northwest watersheds, the importance of these systems on the productivity and diversity of downstream fish-bearing reaches is unknown. Therefore, we are using large-scale inventories to test the hypothesis that tributaries create gradients in physical, chemical and biological properties where they enter mainstem reaches.

Investigators

Peter Kiffney and Correigh Greene

Support

NOAA Fisheries and Earthwatch Institute

Project Status

Data collection complete; data analyses and manuscript preparation ongoing

Relevant Publications

Kiffney, P. M., C. Greene, J. Hall and J. Davies. In Review. Do triburary streams create gradients in biological productivity and diversity in mainstem rivers? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.