Does the near stream zone control brownification of streams? (Bachelor/Master)

Last changed: 07 September 2023

This project examines long-term changes in the chemistry and hydrology of the near stream zone in a forest landscape to see if changes there can explain major changes in the chemistry of streamwater in that landscape.

The riparian “near stream” zone is recognized as a key control on the chemistry of streams. As a result management measures in forestry and agriculture often focus on the riparian zone. But there is little information on how just those riparian areas change over the course of decades. A uniquely comprehensive survey of riparian zone chemistry and hydrology was conducted in the period 2008-2010. Those measurements were repeated in 2020 and 2021. This project will look for changes between those two surveys of the riparian zone to see if they can explain the observed changes in stream chemistry over that period, including “brownification”. A key feature of this study will be the role of flow extremes and how to account for them using catchment hydrology to relate stream chemistry to the catchment soils.

Facts:

  • Main subject area: Environmental Science
  • Level and length: basic level (Bachelor, 15 hp / 10 weeks) or advanced level (Master, 30 hp / 20 weeks or 60 hp / 40 weeks)
  • Language: Swedish or English (for Master)