Flood Regime and Biochemical Properties of Riparian Soils along the White River, Indiana.

Flood regime and biochemical properties of riparian soils of the White River, Indiana

The deposition of sediment, organic matter and nutrients in riparian ecosystems can significantly alter a range of soil processes, but few studies have examined the effect of flood regime on the biochemical properties of riparian soils. A study was conducted using soil from flood-protected (FP) and regularly-flooded (FL) sections of three riparian forests (age: 7, 45 and 80 years) along the White River in Central Indiana. Biochemical (denitrification, CH₄ oxidation potential, mineralizable C, organic C, microbial diversity) and physical (texture, bulk density) properties of soils were determined. Results will be discussed in relation to the nutrient sink capacity and greenhouse gas production potential of riparian ecosystems.