What are allochthonous inputs?

Stream ecosystems receive energy from two sources: allochthonous inputs, which consist of terrestrially derived carbon (C) that is produced within the catchment and imported into the stream channel (e.g., Kaushik & Hynes, 1971), and autochthonous production, which includes C fixed within the stream channel by algae and …

What is the difference between autochthonous and allochthonous inputs?

Allochthonous refers to sediments that are found remote from the place of origin, while autochthonous refers to the sediments that are found in the same location where they have formed.

What is allochthonous and autochthonous?

The three terms refer to the origin of a sediment: autochtonous refers to sediments that are native to its location (e.g. carbonat precipitation in a lacustrine facies), allochtonous refers to sediments originating from a place other than where it was found (e.g. glacial dropstones in marine sediments), and.

What is autochthonous input?

In aquatic communities, the autochthonous input is provided by the photosynthesis of large plants and attached algae in shallow waters (littoral zone) and by microscopic phytoplankton.

What are allochthonous microorganisms?

Allochthonous bacteria and most enteric and pathogenic microorganisms are released directly or through wastewaters to rivers and coastal areas. In the aquatic ecosystem, their survival is affected by complex environmental stresses and killing agents which trigger cellular responses that are still poorly understood.

What are allochthonous sources of organic matter?

Allochthonous dissolved organic matter is a source of organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur to aquatic systems that is derived from the surrounding terrestrial ecosystem.

What is allochthonous organic matter?

What is allochthonous detritus?

Detritus (dead organic matter) and associated nutrient inputs into the littoral zone are either allochthonous (derived from terrestrial sources) or autochthonous (aquatic sources). Allochthonous sources include groundwater, precipitation, fluvial inputs, terrestrial plant litter fall, and materials from soil erosion.

What is the autochthonous input in an aquatic community?

In aquatic communities, the autochthonous input is provided by the photosynthesis of large plants and attached algae in shallow waters (littoral zone) and by microscopic phytoplankton

How does allochthonous material impact the aquatic ecosystem?

One way allochthonous material impacts the aquatic ecosystem is by providing a food source for creatures like bacteria, algae and aquatic insects. However, excess allochthonous material in an aquatic ecosystem can deplete oxygen in waterways, negatively affecting aquatic life.

What is allochthonous material?

Allochthonous refers to material that has been imported into an ecosystem. While an ecosystem involves both organic (plants, bacteria, animals) and inorganic things (rocks, soil, water), the allochthonous material that enters an ecosystem refers to organic matter and its nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous.

What is an example of allochthonous organic matter?

Exceptions exist, however, particularly where colonial animals deposit feces derived from food consumed at a distance from the colony (e.g. bat colonies in caves, seabirds on coastland) – guano is an example of allochthonous organic matter (dead organic material formed outside the ecosystem).