Stream-Watershed Relationships in the Missouri Ozark Plateau Province

摘要

Land use is the most influential watershed characteristic determining chemical concentrations of 23 streams that drained watersheds with different land uses, geologic bedrock, and soil associations in the Missouri Ozark Plateau Province. Streams draining watersheds with urban land use had the highest chemical concentrations and streams draining forest watersheds the lowest. Streams draining pasture watersheds were intermediate, more closely resembling streams in overall salinity, and urban streams in nitrogen and phosphorus. Prediction of stream chemical concentrations and algal biomass from watershed land use can be used to assess changes in streams that may occur as the result of changes on the watershed.