Average stream width was widest for the WB (4.5 m), intermediate for OL (3 m) and narrowest for OS (2 m) and Isolated (2 m).
However, our sites did differ in terms of stream slope (derived from section gradient data and logged for normality), average stream width, and a binary indicator of 'presence or absence' of large-woody-debris (LWD).
For streams, the five best single predictors of water chemistry were the amount of arable land in the catchment (68%), followed by the amount of alpine treeless areas in the catchment, altitude (2.7%), stream width (2.7%), and mean annual discharge Q (1.3%).
Average flow condition theory expressed as "At-A-Station" hydraulic geometry (AHG) relations are site-specific power-functions, relating the mean stream channel forms (i.e. water depth, top-width, flow velocity, and flow area) to discharge, have been studied since 50s.
Linear aspects include stream number, stream order, stream length, mean stream length, stream length ratio and bifurcation ratio.
This critical stream depth increases with streambed thickness and decreases with stream width.
Open image in new window Fig. 5 Relation between stream order and mean stream length.
In general, it is observed that the mean stream length increases with the stream order.
According to Strahler (1964), mean stream length describes the characteristic size of components of stream network.
The mean stream N2O emissions were 0.190 mg N m−2 h−1.
