Identifying environmental drivers of chlorophyll-a dynamics in Austral subtropical ephemeral ecosystems

Environmental and biological features of Austral subtropical pan types were assessed, along with the drivers of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations. Chl-a biomass varied considerably across seasons and endorheic pans had elevated chl-a concentrations compared to floodplain pans. The major driver of chl-a concentration based on generalised linear/non-linear models (GLZ) was total phosphorous and total suspended solids for all pan types and seasons combined. These results are discussed within the context of secondary productivity, aquatic ecosystem heterogeneity and endorheic pan conservation.     

Effects of nutrient enrichment derived from fish farming activities on macroinvertebrate assemblages in a subtropical region of Hong Kong

To study the correlation between nutrient enrichment derived from fish farming activities and changes in macrobenthic assemblages, a one-year field study was conducted in Kau Sai Bay marine fish culture zone of Hong Kong. Bimonthly sediment samples were collected at six stations: two at the fish cages, two near the boundary of the fish culture area, and two reference sites further away from the culture area. Sediment physico-chemical characteristics in terms of silt/clay fraction, moisture content, total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and total phosphorus (TP) were analyzed. The macrobenthos (>0.5 mm) present in the sediment were sorted, identified and enumerated. On average, TOC, TKN and TP levels at the fish cage stations were 82.8%, 128.5% and 1315.7% higher than those at the reference stations, respectively. As a result, the N:P molar ratio was greatly reduced from 8.75 at the reference stations to 1.83 at the fish cage stations. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that diversity of macrofauna was significantly reduced and community structure differed at the fish cage stations relative to the reference sites. The intermediary stations near the fish culture area showed a transitional state of disturbance. Faunal diversity was negatively correlated with nutrient level, reflecting the adverse impacts of nutrient enrichment derived from fish farming activities on the benthic assemblages. Whilst in subtropical Asia-Pacific trash fish is the major feed for fish culture resulting in a higher nutrient loading and nutrient ratio accumulated in the sediment beneath the fish rafts, the effects of nutrient enrichment on macrobenthic assemblages are comparable to that in temperate waters owing to relatively high sediment metabolism rate and smaller fish culture scale in Hong Kong.     

Influence of bed heterogeneity and habitat type on macroinvertebrate uptake in peri-urban streams

The role of geomorphic structure, referred to as physical heterogeneity, and its influence upon the colonization of habitat by macroinvertebrates was analysed in the peri-urban, Twin Streams Catchment, in West Auckland, New Zealand. Using a cross-scalar approach, 4 riffle-run assemblages were analysed in each of 2 River Styles (a confined, low sinuosity, gravel bed river and a partly confined, low sinuosity, bedrock, cobble, and gravel bed river). Each of these 8 locations comprised 2 distinct sampling areas; the upstream zone had a more heterogeneous river bed with a high diversity of physical features and flow, whilst the downstream area had a more homogeneous structure. Microhabitat features sampled at each site included streambed material, bank margins, fine grained organic debris, wood, and boulders. Habitat mosaics and their associated macroinvertebrate relationships followed a semi-predictable but interrupted pattern, supporting the view that river systems are a patchy discontinuum. Homogeneous zones were more frequently characterised by higher proportions of Trichoptera than heterogeneous zones, whilst heterogeneous zones were frequently characterised by Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera. Diversity was maximised when the species pools from heterogeneous and homogeneous sites were combined for any given site. Functional habitats influenced macroinvertebrate assemblages in non-linear and complex ways. Wood and organic debris habitats were associated with high diversity, abundance, and sensitive species whereas streambed habitat was usually associated with low diversity. A diverse range of physical zones that approximates the 'natural range of behaviour' for the given type of stream was considered to provide a more effective platform for rehabilitation planning than emphasising heterogeneity of physical structure in its own right.     

Experimental study of the zooplankton impact on the trophic structure of phytoplankton and the microbial assemblages in a temperate wetland (Argentina)

An experimental study using mesocosms was conducted in the main shallow lake of a temperate wetland (Otamendi Natural Reserve, Argentina) to analyse the impact of zooplankton on phytoplankton and the microbial assemblages. The lake is characterised by the presence of a fluctuating cover of floating macrophytes, whose shading effects shape the phytoplakton community and the ecosystem functioning, which was absent during the study period. The experiment was run in situ using polyethylene bags, comparing treatments with and without zooplankton. The cascade effect of zooplankton on phytoplankton and the lower levels of the microbial food web (ciliates, heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and picoplankton) were analysed.A significant zooplankton grazing on the nano-phytoplankton fraction (3–30 μm) was observed. Conversely, large algae (filamentous cyanobacteria, colonial chlorophytes and large diatoms) increased in all mesocosms until day 10, suggesting that they were not actively grazed by zooplankton during this period. However, from day 10 until day 17 this fraction decreased in the enclosures with mesozooplankton, probably due to an increase in the abundance of large herbivores.The results of the experiment would also indicate a trophic cascade effect on the lower levels of the microbial community. In the treatment where zooplankton was removed, the abundance of ciliates followed the same increasing pattern as the abundance of HNF, but with a time lag in its response. In the enclosures without zooplankton, HNF remained relatively constant throughout the experiment, whereas ciliates strongly decrease during the last week. Total picoplankton abundance increased in the enclosures with mesozooplankton, thus supporting the existence of a four-link trophic cascade (copepods–microzooplankton–HNF–picoplankton). Zooplankton composition changed significantly from the beginning until the end of the experiment; cyclopoid nauplii and rotifers were notoriously dominant at t₀, whereas 10 days later the community showed a more equitable proportion of cyclopoids, calanoids, nauplii, cladocerans and rotifers.     

Variations in total organic carbon and grain size distribution in ephemeral river sediments in western India

Total organic carbon(TOC) and grain size distribution(sand,silt,and clay) in the ephemeral Mahi River(western India) sediments were measured to look at their effectiveness in understanding the late Quaternary monsoon conditions.Four sites spread across the alluvial zone and three sites from the estuarine zone were sampled.TOC concentration in the sediments of the alluvial and estuarine zone sites ranged between 0.04 and 0.39%and 0.04 and 0.23%,respectively.It was observed that grain size differed significantly at the alluvial zone sites,whereas an uniform trend was found in the estuarine zone sites.The study indicated that low concentration of TOC and coarse size fractions(sand) in sediments were well correlated with available records of arid/weaker palaeomonsoon periods,whereas higher concentration of TOC and fine grain size fractions(silt + clay) in sediments were well correlated with available records of enhanced palaeomonsoon periods of the ephemeral Mahi River.Uniform concentrations of TOC and fine grain size particles in sediments at the estuarine zone sites are attributed to the backwater in the system,deeper sedimentation,and/or greater decomposition processes.It is concluded that,TOC and grain size distributions in the ephemeraL river sediments are simple and effective parameters to develop an understanding about late Quaternary monsoon conditions in ephemeral rivers.     

南亚热带水体7种常见浮游动物的个体氮、磷含量及其排泄率的比较

比较分析了我国南亚热带湖库7种常见浮游动物,萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)、前节晶囊轮虫(Asplanchna priodonta)、颈沟基合溞(Bosminopsis deitersi)、微型裸腹溞(Moina micrura)、中华拟同型溞(Daphnia similoides sinensis)、温中剑水蚤(Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides)和舌状叶镖水蚤(Phyllodiaptomus tunguidus)在温度15~30℃范围内的氮、磷排泄率以及氮、磷含量.氮、磷含量分别为4.9~24.2μg/mg(DW)和51.2~153.5μg/mg(DW);氮磷原子比为11.5~43.0.磷含量与个体干重呈显著正相关关系,但氮含量和氮磷比与个体干重相关性不显著.溶解态无机磷(DIP)排泄率为0.31~2.05μg/(mg(DW)·h),与个体干重呈显著负相关,与温度和个体氮磷含量比值均呈显著正相关.总溶解态氮(TDN)排泄率为24~256μg/(mg(DW)·h),与温度和个体干重均呈显著相关,但与个体氮磷含量比值相关性不显著.排泄的TDN∶DIP原子比为112~352,与温度呈显著正相关,与个体干重和氮磷含量比值均呈显著负相关.结果表明,在高氮磷比的食物条件下,7种浮游动物营养盐排泄均呈现高的氮磷比特征,磷排泄率和排泄的氮磷比的种间差异受个体干重和个体氮磷比影响.     

福建山美水库浮游动物群落结构时空特征及其影响因子分析

山美水库既是福建省泉州市饮用水源地,也肩负着为台湾省金门县供水的功能,但春夏季过高的pH值影响了水库水质.为此,从2020年起,调整水库鱼类放养结构和捕捞策略,并研究鱼类群落调控后山美水库浮游动物群落结构的响应及其与环境因子的关系.本研究于2020年和2021年连续两年的1月（冬季）、4月（春季）、7月（夏季）、10月（秋季）调查山美水库21个采样点的浮游动物群落结构和水环境因子.结果共鉴定出浮游动物68属102种,其中轮虫21属41种（40.20%）,原生动物32属41种（40.20%）,枝角类8属13种（12.75%）,桡足类7属7种（6.86%）.2020—2021年山美水库浮游动物平均密度为（1443.05±360.02） ind./L,平均生物量为（1.21±0.27） mg/L,2021年浮游动物密度和生物量显著高于2020年,其中,2021年枝角类和桡足类的密度分别显著高于2020年枝角类和桡足类的密度,2021年库首、库中和库尾区域枝角类生物量显著高于2020年对应区域;2021年桡足类生物量显著高于2020年.春冬季浮游动物群落的优势种主要为原生动物,夏秋季浮游动物群落的优势种主要为轮虫.根据浮游动物密度和生物量评价水体营养状态,夏季山美水库处于中营养状态,春、秋和冬季处于贫营养状态.影响浮游动物群落结构分布的主要环境因子为电导率、水温、溶解氧、硝态氮、透明度和高锰酸盐指数.研究表明调整鱼类放养和捕捞措施提高了浮游动物密度和生物量,基于此提出了通过调整鱼类群落结构改变浮游动物群落结构,进而改善水环境的建议,可为湖泊水库水环境保护和水生生物资源高效利用提供科学依据.     

Spatial organization of macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Lower Mekong Basin

In this study, we investigated patterns of spatial variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) and examined their relationship with environmental factors. Cluster analysis was used to group macroinvertebrate samples and Linear Discriminant Analysis was performed to discriminate the major factors associated with the macroinvertebrate assemblages. Four clusters could be distinguished based on the dissimilarity between macroinvertebrate assemblages. The assemblages related to the tributaries and the upstream parts (cluster II) were characterized by a lower richness, abundance, diversity and a lower number of indicator taxa compared to the assemblage found downstream in the Mekong delta (cluster I). Aquatic insects and their indicator taxa (e.g. Caenodes sp., Dipseudopsis sp. and Gomphidae sp.), preferring a high-altitude environment with a high dissolved oxygen concentration and a high density of wood/shrub and evergreen forests, were the most predominant group in the assemblages occupying the tributaries and the upstream parts (cluster IIa). The assemblage found in the delta, consisting largely of molluscs and a moderate richness and abundance of worms, crustaceans and dipteran insects, was mainly represented by Corbicula leviuscula and C. moreletiana (molluscs), Namalycastis longicirris and Chaetogaster langi (worms), Corophium minutum and Grandidierella lignorum (crustaceans), and Cricotopus sp. and Clinotanypus sp. (dipteran insects). This assemblage was associated with a large watershed surface area, deep and wide rivers and a high water temperature. The intermediate assemblage (cluster IIb1) in-between could be discriminated based on land cover types including inundated, wetland and agricultural land, and was represented most by molluscs. Strikingly, the assemblage occupying the upstream parts (cluster IIa), which is related to intensified agriculture and a moderate conductivity, was characterized by a higher macroinvertebrate diversity compared to the mountainous and less impacted tributaries. This could mean that the natural stress is high in these systems for some taxa, leading to a lower overall taxonomic richness and abundance. Nevertheless, the number of taxa and the diversity of macroinvertebrates remained relatively high across the basin, especially in the delta assemblage. Therefore, the LMB deserves a particular attention for conservation.     

Functional Community Organization of Macroinvertebrates in Lotic Habitats of the Plitvice Lakes Funktionelle Organisation der Makroinvertebraten-Gemeinschaft in den lotischen Habitaten der Seen von Plitvice

The community and trophic structure of benthic macroinvertebrates were studied in different types of habitats in the karstic Plitvice Lake system located in the NW Dinarid mountains (Croatia). The spatial distribution of functional macroconsumer groups shows that longitudinal community functional organization doesn't correspond with the River Continuum Concept (RCC) hypothesis. Collector guilds were the most abundant functional feeding groups at all the sites analyzed. The domination of shredders was found only in habitats in the source areas of the supply streams. The disturbed longitudinal community functional organization is caused by a discontinuum in the gradient of physical factors which is a result of the geomorphological origin of travertine barriers along the hydrosystem.     

Habitat suitability of the invasive water hyacinth and its relation to water quality and macroinvertebrate diversity in a tropical reservoir

In this study, we assessed the relationship between the occurrence of the invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water quality properties as well as macroinvertebrate diversity in a tropical reservoir, situated in western Ecuador. Macroinvertebrates and physico-chemical water quality variables were sampled at 32 locations (during the dry season of 2013) in both sites covered and non-covered by water hyacinth in the Daule-Peripa reservoir. The results indicated that, in terms of water quality, only turbidity was significantly different between sampling sites with and without water hyacinth (Mann–Whitney U-test, p < 0.01). The habitat suitability model showed that water hyacinth was present at sites with a low turbidity. The percentage water hyacinth cover increased with decreasing turbidity. The Biological Monitoring Working Party-Colombia score and the Margalef diversity index were significantly higher (Mann–Whitney U-test, p < 0.01) at sampling sites where water hyacinth was present compared to water hyacinth absent sites. However, there were no significant differences in the Shannon–Wiener index, Evenness index and Simpson index between the sampling sites with and without water hyacinth. Our results suggest that water hyacinth cover was an important variable affecting the diversity of macroinvertebrates in the Daule-Peripa reservoir, with intermediate levels of water hyacinth cover having a positive effect on the diversity of macroinvertebrates. Information on the habitat suitability of water hyacinth and its effect on the physico-chemical water quality and the macroinvertebrate community are essential to develop conservation and management programs for large tropical reservoirs such as the Daule-Peripa reservoir and the Guayas river basin, where water resources are being at high risk due to expansion of agricultural and industrial development activities.     

Potential acidification impacts on zooplankton in CCS leakage scenarios

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies involve localized acidification of significant volumes of seawater, inhabited mainly by planktonic species. Knowledge on potential impacts of these techniques on the survival and physiology of zooplankton, and subsequent consequences for ecosystem health in targeted areas, is scarce. The recent literature has a focus on anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, leading to enhanced absorption of CO₂ by the oceans and a lowered seawater pH, termed ocean acidification. These studies explore the effects of changes in seawater chemistry, as predicted by climate models for the end of this century, on marine biota. Early studies have used unrealistically severe CO₂/pH values in this context, but are relevant for CCS leakage scenarios. Little studied meso- and bathypelagic species of the deep sea may be especially vulnerable, as well as vertically migrating zooplankton, which require significant residence times at great depths as part of their life cycle.     

Functional feeding groups of a macroinvertebrate community in a northern German lake outlet (Lake Belau, Schleswig-Holstein)

At four typical sections of the stream Kossau Diptera were caught by emergence traps. Two of the sections can be regarded as to a great degree undisturbed due to their morphology and vegetation at the banks. Two sections have undergone various anthropogenic changes. Representatives of the families Chironomidae, Ceratopogonidae, Psychodidae, Limoniidae, Ptychopteridae, Dixidae, Culicidae, Simuliidae, and Empididae were collected. Altogether, 106 species were identified. The majority of species belong to the family Chironomidae (74), followed by the Ceratopogonidae (8), Psychodidae, and Empididae (7 each). The numbers of species collected at each stream section ranged from 56 to 69. At the undisturbed and shaded sections 69 and 66 species were found, at the meadow sections 56 and 68 species. Hence, a general connection between the loss of a state close to the natural environment and the number of species can not be stated.A total of 29,349 Diptera emerged. The highest number of individuals was found at a stream section covered with aquatic macrophytes (16,797 ind.), the lowest at a forest section without macrophytes (2,554 ind.). The Chironomidae make up for more than 82% of all Diptera. The Simuliidae rank second accounting for 3 to 17%, followed by the Ceratopogonidae. Like the Ceratopogonidae, all other families comprise less than 1% of the individuals collected.Only a few species demonstrated a distinct preference for the two forest sections of the stream, whereas about 50% of the species occurred in at least three of the four sections. Regarding the species represented by more than two individuals per emergence trap, it became apparent that the correspondence between the forst and the meadow sections is rather small.A comparison of the emergence of individual families revealed that many species found in the Kossau also occur in another lowland stream, similar to the Kossau concerning width, current velocity, and water level. Furthermore, the ecological demands of several species turned out to be not as high as they were considered to be, mainly referring to the temperature: Species proven in the Kossau and in other summer-warm streams may no longer be regarded as ‘cold-stenothermic’.     

A comparison of neustonic plastic and zooplankton abundance in southern California's coastal waters

The density of neustonic plastic particles was compared to that of zooplankton in the coastal ocean near Long Beach, California. Two trawl surveys were conducted, one after an extended dry period when there was little land-based runoff, the second shortly after a storm when runoff was extensive. On each survey, neuston samples were collected at five sites along a transect parallel to shore using a manta trawl lined with 333 micro mesh. Average plastic density during the study was 8 pieces per cubic meter, though density after the storm was seven times that prior to the storm. The mass of plastics was also higher after the storm, though the storm effect on mass was less than it was for density, reflecting a smaller average size of plastic particles after the storm. The average mass of plastic was two and a half times greater than that of plankton, and even greater after the storm. The spatial pattern of the ratio also differed before and after a storm. Before the storm, greatest plastic to plankton ratios were observed at two stations closest to shore, whereas after the storm these had the lowest ratios.     

Changes in zooplankton abundance and diversity after ballast water exchange in regional seas

A study of the efficiency of ballast water exchange (BWE) in regional seas was carried out to assess this management method in reducing the risk of introducing non-native species. Zooplankton samples were taken before and after exchange on ten voyages where BWE took place (North Sea, English Channel, Irish Sea and Bay of Biscay). Zooplankton abundance was always reduced after exchange, but diversity increased on eight occasions. The greatest changes occurred when the source port water was of low salinity and when exchange took place in deeper waters further from land. However, it was clear that BWE did not remove all the source port taxa and this method is unlikely to provide a consistent and effective method of managing ballast water in regional seas.     

淮河干流浮游动物群落结构特征

2011年3、6、9和12月对淮河干流11个采样点的浮游动物群落结构进行调查研究,共检出浮游动物79属206种,其中原生动物27属69种,占浮游动物总物种数的33.5%;轮虫35属104种,占50.5%;枝角类12属27种,占13.1%;桡足类5属6种,占2.9%.总体上看,从上游至下游,浮游动物物种数呈现逐渐减少的趋势.浮游动物的丰度和生物量分别为3527447 ind./L和2452 mg/L,轮虫和原生动物丰度是淮河干流浮游动物丰度的主体,轮虫生物量是淮河干流浮游动物生物量的主体,浮游动物及各类群丰度和生物量均表现为从上游到中游逐渐增高的趋势,而从中游到下游呈现逐渐降低的趋势.上游浮游动物多样性指数和均匀度指数高于中、下游.结果表明:淮河干流上游水质为轻污染,中、下游水质为中污染或重污染.浮游动物群落结构和环境因子的冗余分析表明,水温、溶解氧和流速是与淮河干流浮游动物群落结构相关性较强的环境因子.     

竞争捕食作用对千岛湖浮游动物群落结构的影响

竞争与捕食作用是调节湖泊和池塘等淡水生态系统结构的主要动力,并且影响着浮游动物的群落结构和种群动态变化.为了阐明生物因素对千岛湖浮游动物群落结构的影响,于2009-2010年对千岛湖浮游动物群落结构变化规律进行调查.利用Pearson相关性分析和多元逐步回归法分析生物因素对千岛湖中浮游动物群落结构的影响.对千岛湖1999、2004、2007-2010年的鲢鳙鱼生物量和浮游动物生物量的统计分析表明,1999年鲢鳙鱼的生物量约为2004、2007-2010年年平均生物量的1/5,而轮虫和桡足类生物量变化不大,枝角类中盔形溞密度下降.鲢鳙鱼放养后浮游植物密度下降,而大型浮游动物(如盔形溞)的密度变化趋势与浮游植物相一致,因此推断鲢鳙鱼的放养将对千岛湖浮游动物群落结构产生影响.     

Correlations between fatty acid composition of seston and zooplankton and effects of environmental parameters in a eutrophic Siberian reservoir

During two sampling seasons we analyzed on weekly basis fatty acid (FA) composition of seston fraction <130 μm and zooplankton fraction >130 μm, and compared them using a multivariate canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Besides, we evaluated a possible impact of water temperature and inorganic nutrients on FA composition of the seston and the zooplankton.In spite of significant differences in percentages of several individual FAs, we found very strong canonical correlation (cross-correlation, 1-week lag) between FA composition of the seston and the zooplankton. The most important factor, providing the overall canonical cross-correlation between FA profiles of the seston and the zooplankton fractions was eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5ω3, EPA). FA composition of the zooplankton fraction had comparatively poor correlations with taxonomic composition of the zooplankton. Thus, seasonal variations of FA composition of the zooplankton were determined primarily by seasonal changes in FA composition of the seston, rather than by taxonomic differences of FA profiles between rotifers, cyclopoids and cladocerans. FA composition of the seston was strongly affected by its taxonomic composition, namely by that of phytoplankton. According to CCA, the highest factor loadings pertained to diatoms interacting with their marker acids, including EPA, and cyanobacteria and greens, interacting with their marker acids. Ciliates and small rotifers composed considerable and sometimes major part of the seston biomass, but according to CCA their contributions to seasonal variations of the total FA profile of the seston were insignificant. This finding indirectly support the conclusion of the other authors, that the main source of FAs presented in ciliates and rotifers must be sought in algae and that they do not modify FA composition of food consumed, apart from repackaging it.Water temperature was the principal environmental parameter which drove the overall variations of FA composition. Factor loadings for the inorganic nutrients were comparatively negligible. The main contribution in the seasonal variation of FA composition of the seston was given by negative interaction between water temperature and percentage of EPA in the seston.     

湖北省西凉湖浮游动物群落周年动态变化及其与环境因子的关系

2007年11月至2008年10月对西凉湖浮游动物进行了4次调查,共检出浮游动物224种,其中原生动物112种,轮虫90种,枝角类15种,桡足类7种.秋季浮游动物物种数最多,为111种,冬季最少,为75种,春季和夏季分别为107种和88种.冬季浮游动物丰度最高,为126731 ind./L,春季最低,为71356ind...     

Do hydraulic units define macroinvertebrate assemblages in mountain streams of central Argentina?

Methods to assess the physical habitat provide important tools for many aspects of river management. Hydraulic units (defined as a homogeneous patch of flow type and substrate) were described in mountain streams of Central Argentina and the distribution of macrozoobenthos in these habitat units was analyzed. Four streams from the upper Carcarañá River Basin (Córdoba, Argentina) were sampled in two hydrological periods. Hydraulic units (as substrate and flow type), current velocity, depth, macrophytes and macroalgae were assessed. Three benthic samples were taken in each hydraulic unit. A total of 12 hydraulic units were registered, which varied seasonally in their proportional abundance. The highest values of taxonomic richness, total abundance, diversity and evenness were found in the low-water period. The most heterogeneous hydraulic units (characterized by substrate of diverse grain size) presented the highest richness, diversity and evenness, whereas the highest total abundance was observed in hydraulic units with homogeneous substrate, such as bedrock or gravel sand. Canonical correspondence analysis grouped samples and taxa mainly in relation to the hydraulic units, and temporal variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages was observed. We found that the interaction between hydrological and geomorphological conditions affected benthic assemblages and that their organization is important at a mesoscale. Therefore, hydraulic units may be considered important tools in assessing stream integrity in lotic systems of central Argentina.     

Channel geometry,bed material,and inferred flow conditions in ephemeral stream systems,barrier range,western N.S.W. Australia

Streams draining the Barrier Range uplands in arid western N.S.W. are ephemeral and undergo rapid channel contraction away from the uplands as a consequence of transmission loss. These processes are documented on the basis of surveys of channel form and bed material at sequential sites located along the contracting lowland reaches of two representative streams. Channel width and depth display considerable fluctuation downstream, but cross-sectional area and maximum bed surface grain size decline in a very regular manner. Flood discharge, estimated from the channel capacity and predicted critical and mean flow velocities, also declines regularly. the trends are well fitted by log-linear models, and are reported in terms of a half-distance, the channel length in km over which the value of a morphometric parameter declines by 50 per cent. Rates of channel contraction and transmission loss are inferred to be inversely proportional to the volume of flow delivered from the upland section of the drainage basin. Unusual channel characteristics, including extensive tree growth in the bed, make application of ordinary flow equations difficult, because friction factors cannot be estimated with confidence. Systematic changes in the nature of the bed surface in contracting streams such as those studied here also have implications for the application of critical velocity equations, and highlight a need for further study of desert channels.