U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Angier, Jonathanitem
                                            McCarty, Gregory
  Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2003
                                    Publication  Date: 3/20/2003
                                    Citation: Angier, J., McCarty, G.W. 2003. Linkages among groundwater levels, evapotranspiration rates, and stream flows within a first-order riparian zone, and the impact of climate variability [abstract]. American Geophysical Union. Paper No. 5797. 2003 CDROM.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Complex interactions among different aspects of a riparian system largely determine how efficiently these environments function at such things as contaminant removal and flood attenuation.  Many studies focus on only one or two aspects of a riparian system and make assumptions regarding other elements of riparian system behavior.  Conclusions that predict function based on a small number of factors, however, are more likely to be inaccurate and are probably less applicable to other systems.  An approach to riparian zone studies that attempts to address several major influences on the system¿s behavior is more likely to yield information that can be applied to predictive models.  This study, part of a small-watershed project undertaken by the USDA-ARS, is an attempt to apply a holistic approach to assessing riparian zone function.  Stream flows are measured and logged automatically at five points along the stream channel.  Approximately 170 piezometers are used to assess groundwater behavior and composition within the riparian system; about 60 of these are instrumented with pressure transducers that continuously log groundwater levels.  Twelve sap flow sensors have been placed into five tree trunks in a transect across the riparian zone to measure sap flow rates (and ultimately to obtain evapotranspiration rates for the riparian zone).  Meteorological data is obtained from an on-site weather station.  The data indicate that there is a close linkage between stream flow and tree sap flow.  Diurnal sap flow patterns (active sap flow in daytime during the growing season) are reflected in loss of daytime stream flow.  Sap flow rates in turn are highly influenced by changes in local weather conditions (especially photosynthetically active radiation).  Stream flow and climate are also directly linked to groundwater behavior.  Information gleaned from this study (which also includes research incorporating local hydrology and biogeochemistry) can be used to help determine how these various elements of a riparian system interact and the effect on the function of the system as whole.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov