The influence of stream tributaries to lakes and upstream forest harvest on benthic, lake delta communities

Abstract

Lake deltas (LDs) receive nutrient and energy subsidies from upstream habitats. These inputs can support LD benthic production. However, LDs may also receive impacts from upstream disturbance. Small lakes in coastal British Columbia often have inflow streams from areas with forest harvesting, which is pervasive in this region. Forest harvesting impacts can alter stream production, although downstream impacts on lakes, compared to streams, are less studied and understood. We aimed to test whether benthic LD communities (biofilm and invertebrates) are more productive and (or) diverse compared to other communities along the lakeshore (LS) (non-LDs), and whether there are differences in LD communities associated with upstream harvesting. We compared LD communities with upstream riparian areas that were harvested (HLD) or relatively undisturbed (ULD), and LS sites. We found that while community structure was similar across sites, ULDs had higher biofilm and invertebrate standing stocks (1.5- and 2-times higher, respectively) than HLDs and LS sites. Our results suggest subsidies and benthic production were higher at ULDs. These results advance our understanding of forest harvesting disturbance and stream-lake connectivity.