STREAM GENESIS AND STRUCTURE
Frank R. Spellman, Joanne Drinan · 2001
T HE main point to be gained from the chapter opening is that the physical pro-cesses involved in the formation of a stream are important to the ecology of the stream. Stream channel and flow characteristics directly influence the functioning of the stream&s;s ecosystem and the biota found therein. Thus, in this chapter, we look at the pathways of water flow contributing to stream flow; namely, we discuss precipitation inputs as they contribute to flow. Stream flow dis- 16 STREAM GENESIS AND STRUCTURE charge, transport of material, characteristics of stream channels, stream profile, sinuosity, the floodplain, pool-riffle sequences, and depositional features-all of which directly or indirectly impact the ecology of the stream-are also discussed.