The spatial and temporal variability of stream flow challenges scientists' ability to inventory in-stream habitats and assess their sensitivity to environmental changes. The approach is applied to the Ratcliff Ford reach of the Jacks Fork River, Missouri, USA in order to assess the sensitivity of in-stream habitats to climatically induced hydrologic variation.
Modeling results indicate non-linear, divergent relationships between discharge and habitat areas.
Comparisons of habitat duration curves for wet and dry climatic regimes suggest that most of the net loss of habitat area in dry years is accommodated at Ratcliff Ford by a loss of race and riffle habitat. Pool and glide habitats may be less sensitive to hydrologic variability because the canyon-like nature of the Ratcliff Ford reach maintains deep, narrow pools over a wide range of discharges. Text portions of the document will appear in this main window. Figures and appendices will appear in a second browser window that will automatically open the first time you click on a figure link. If you can't find the figure you've just clicked on, check to see if the second browser window is minimized or hidden behind your text window.