Geology and habitat features drive energetic functions in streams

The influence of geology on stream energetic functions was examined in nine 3rd order streams from 3 ecoregions with different lithologies in northern Alabama, USA. All 9 streams were sampled quarterly for 1 y to assess the influence of geology (lithology) and habitat (substratum) on primary and secondary production. All streams were similar in location (northern Alabama), discharge, basin area, habitat types, and forest composition, but different in underlying lithology (phyllite, sandstone, carbonate) and associated alkalinity (4–108 mg/L as CaCO3). Quantitative invertebrate samples were collected from major habitats (bedrock, cobble, gravel, sand) in all streams, and secondary production was estimated using empirical models. Algal net primary production was estimated using 14C techniques from 3 habitats (bedrock, cobble, gravel) in all streams. Habitat-specific daily primary production was higher in carbonate streams and highest on bedrock, followed by cobble and gravel, in all ecoregions. Habitat-specific secondary production was similarly highest in carbonate streams, but always higher on cobble than other habitats. Stream-wide analyses were consistent with habitat-specific results among ecoregions, but were not as strong. Stream-wide secondary production of only the scraper functional feeding group was related to primary production. The first file shows the habitat-specific NPP results for each stream, not just by ecoregion as in the publication. The second file shows annual secondary production by functional feeding group in each individual habitat as well as all habitats combined (stream-wide) for all streams. The third file shows stream-wide biomass and production for all taxa in all streams, not presented in the publication.