ISSN:
1573-2932
Keywords:
Gypsy moth
;
Forest defoliation
;
Stream-water composition
;
Stream-water acidification
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract Infestation by the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) can alter biogeochemical conditions in affected catchments. Stream-water concentration data obtained over the period of 1980–1993 for White Oak Run, a stream in Shenandoah National Park, Va., indicate that change in catchment acid-base status is associated with forest defoliation by the moth larva. Stream-water concentration changes following defoliation included increasing concentrations of strong-acid anions, base-cations, and hydrogen ion, as well as decreasing concentrations of acid-neutralization capacity (ANC) and sulfate. The largest change was in the concentration of nitrate; annual discharge-weighted mean concentrations increased from predefoliation levels consistently less than 5 μeq L−1 to postdefoliation levels greater than 50 μeq L−1. An intensification of acidification was indicated by record-high hydrogen ion concentrations and record-low ANC concentrations. The long-term biogeochemical implications of the infestation are uncertain due to the nonlinearity of the observed responses and unknown patterns of recovery and recurrence.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00476884
