Author(s)

S.B. Franklin, J.A. Kupfer, S.R. Pezeshki, N. van Gestel & R.W. Gentry

Abstract

Channelization effects on floodplain functions in western Tennessee S.B. Franklin*, J.A. Kupfer*, S.R. Pezeshki*, N. van Gestel* & R.W. Gentry* * Department of Biology, University of Memphis, USA * Department of Geography & Regional Development, University of Arizona, USA * Ground Water Institute, University of Memphis, USA Abstract We examined six river reaches in western Tennessee over a two-year period to determine how channel alteration affected floodplain hydrology and nutrient pools. Four sites, two depression and two non-depression, were established on the floodplains of each river, and data on vegetation, water table depth, redox potential, and soil and leaf nutrient pools were collected. Channelized streams had higher mean water tables and lower soil redox potentials than non-channelized or channelized and leveed streams. Leveed systems appeared to have mostly oxidized soil conditions, similar to uplands. Leaf and soil nutrient pools were generally higher in non-d

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