Can environmental variables explain the microbial distribution across pools in a temperate headwater stream?

Ten pools were selected across White Clay Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania, a designated Wild and Scenic tributary of the Christina River spanning 30 km. Of the pools chosen, five were in open meadow, three in 35-year-old restoration forest, and two in 80-90-year-old mature forest. Each pool was divided into 3-7 microhabitats based on observable differences in stream features, such as sediment type, channel position, presence or absence of macrovegetation cover, and shading. Within each microhabitat, either a biofilm or a sediment sample was taken.