Allochthonous input of organic matter from different riparian habitats of an agriculturally impacted stream

Lapwai Creek, an agriculturally impacted stream in northern Idaho, was examined to determine longitudinal patterns of particulate allochthonous input from different riparian vegetation types. The stream, characterized by extensive removal of mature vegetation, was classified as having four riparian vegetation types: herbaceous, herbaceous-shrub mix, shrubs, and deciduous trees. Litterfall from each vegetation type was measured monthly for two years at eight locations along Lapwai Creek using 0.1-m² baskets. Litterfall was lowest for herbaceous habitats and highest for deciduous tree habitats. Annual litterfall was low in the headwaters, which flow through an open meadow and deep canyon, and increased from the canyon-floodplain transition downstream to the first fifth-order site. Annual litterfall decreased markedly at the last two fifth-order stream sections. Differences in annual input rates between section 6 and sections 7 and 8, all of which are fifth order, can be attributed to removal of climax riparian vegetation. Estimates of actual and potential annual allochthonous income for each site suggest that current detrital inputs to Lapwai Creek are less than could be achieved if greater quantities of climax vegetation were still present. Lower rates of allochthonous inputs to Lapwai Creek may result in a system with detrital dynamics and macroinvertebrate communities different from that of comparable undisturbed streams of this region.