景观指数耦合景观格局与土壤侵蚀的有效性

景观格局分析是景观生态学中揭示景观变化及其生态效应的主要方法,而景观指数是景观格局分析中广泛使用的工具。土壤侵蚀是土壤物质在景观中的迁移和再分配过程,受地形、植被和人类活动及其空间格局的调控。运用景观格局分析揭示景观格局变化特别是土地利用/覆被格局变化对土壤侵蚀的影响是土壤侵蚀研究中应用景观生态学原理和方法的典型。在当前的研究中,斑块-廊道-基质范式下建立的景观指数对侵蚀过程的解释能力不断受到质疑,建立筛选适用的景观指数的原则和方法十分必要。以延河流域碾庄沟小流域为例,利用WATEM/SEDEM模型模拟多个年份流域侵蚀产沙和输沙量;基于土地利用/覆被数据,利用Fragstat4.2软件,计算了相应年份流域斑块、边界密度、形状、集聚与分散和斑块类型多样性4个方面的代表性景观指数。在此基础上,分析了景观指数与流域侵蚀产沙和输沙之间的关系,讨论了景观指数在土壤侵蚀研究中的有效性,在景观和斑块类型水平上分析了景观指数表达"源"、"汇"两大类景观类型的空间格局与侵蚀产沙和输沙之间的关系的一致性。结果表明:斑块-廊道-基底范式下发展的景观指数在指示景观格局的土壤侵蚀效应时存在局限。相对而言,斑块类型尺度的景观指数更能有效表达景观格局与土壤侵蚀的关系。基于景观类型在土壤侵蚀过程中的"源"、"汇"功能,提出了在土壤侵蚀研究中筛选适用的景观指数的原则:(1)对"源"、"汇"两类景观类型,景观指数与土壤侵蚀状况表征变量的相关系数符号相反;(2)对同为"源"或"汇"景观类型的多个景观类型,景观指数与土壤侵蚀表征变量的相关系数应具有符号一致性。尽管景观指数在斑块类型水平上具有一定的有效性,但用其预测景观格局变化的侵蚀效应有很大的不确定性。因此,基于土壤侵蚀过程与景观格局的作用机制发展新型的景观指数是增强景观格局分析预测土壤侵蚀过程的能力的途径。     

景观格局-土壤侵蚀研究中景观指数的意义解释及局限性

景观格局分析是景观生态学研究的重要组成部分。景观指数是景观格局分析的有力工具。近年来,景观格局与土壤侵蚀关系的相关研究增多,常规景观格局指数得到应用。但针对土壤侵蚀过程的景观指数意义解释不足,景观指数在刻画景观格局-土壤侵蚀过程关系存在局限。选择了连接性、多样性、边界/斑块密度、形状4个方面的12个常用景观指数,对这些指数在景观格局-土壤侵蚀过程关系研究中的意义进行阐述,对指数应用的局限性及其原因进行了分析。景观数据属性、景观指数本身性质和土壤侵蚀过程的复杂性使得常规景观格局指数在景观格局-土壤侵蚀关系研究中存在不足。这3方面的影响使得常规景观格局指数与土壤侵蚀表征变量之间不存在确定的关系,从而难以通过景观指数来表征景观土壤侵蚀特征。缺乏土壤侵蚀过程基础是常规景观指数在土壤侵蚀研究应用中存在局限的主要原因。因此,构建基于土壤侵蚀过程的景观指数是景观格局-土壤侵蚀关系研究的需要和新的发展方向。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区景观格局对流域侵蚀产沙过程的影响——斑块类型水平

在黄土丘陵沟壑区,景观格局对侵蚀产沙过程有着复杂的影响,且与尺度密切相关。选取河口-龙门区间内42个水文站控制流域为研究对象,以侵蚀模数、输沙模数和泥沙输移比作为表征各流域单元内土壤侵蚀、产沙及泥沙输移过程的特征指标,运用景观指数和CCA排序,系统分析了斑块类型水平上景观格局对流域侵蚀产沙过程的影响。结果表明:流域侵蚀产沙及泥沙输移过程中,空间分异特征随景观类型不同而异;对于不同用地类型,影响"过程"空间分异的景观格局指标不同,显著影响流域侵蚀产沙及泥沙输移过程的景观指数有草地平均斑块面积(AREA_MN3)、居民建设用地景观面积百分比(PLAND5)、居民建设用地和其它类型用地景观的斑块密度(PD5和PD6),其中斑块密度(PD)是影响流域侵蚀产沙及泥沙输移过程的共性指标;草地、居民建设用地、其它类型用地的景观格局特征对"过程"变化的解释程度要高于其它景观类型。开展景观格局与生态过程关系研究时,不仅需要考虑景观格局的整体效应,更应关注单一景观类型及其格局特征对一些生态过程的指示意义。     

植被和梯田对黄土高原小流域泥沙连通性的影响

黄土高原经过长期水土流失治理,泥沙问题得到有效解决,但植被恢复和梯田修建对泥沙空间输移的影响尚未完全揭示。通过土地利用数据和Landsat影像确定梯田分布和植被覆盖情况,使用能表征植被和梯田对泥沙输移的阻滞作用的植被覆盖与作物管理因子和工程因子计算泥沙连通性指数(IC),分析泥沙连通性的时空动态变化,量化植被与梯田共同影响下黄土高原第三副区典型流域泥沙连通性。调整权重因子模拟不同情景下泥沙连通性指数的计算,分析植被与梯田对泥沙连通性的单独影响。结果表明由于植被快速恢复和梯田大面积修建,IC在35年间(1986—2020年)从-3.42到-9.17显著下降。情景模拟发现,在1986—1999年间,梯田为泥沙连通性减弱主要驱动因素,1999年后植被与梯田共同作用。植被影响下的IC从1986年到2020年下降73.05%,在1986—2020年间梯田影响下IC下降26.75%。在空间上梯田及高植被覆盖度区域呈弱泥沙连通性,中下游主沟及部分支沟区域为强泥沙连通性。总体而言,植被恢复和梯田修建减弱泥沙输移能力,流域输沙路径集中于主沟中下游及部分支沟区域。研究结果有助于深化黄土丘陵区小流域植被恢复...     

黄土丘陵区景观格局对水土流失过程的影响——景观水平与多尺度比较

以黄土丘陵沟壑区河口-龙门区间内42个水文站控制流域土地利用和径流泥沙数据为基础,借助GIS和RUSLE,运用景观格局指数分析法,从景观水平和多尺度上探讨景观格局对流域水土流失过程的影响。结果表明:河龙区间流域景观格局和水土流失过程特征存在明显空间分异和相对差异。在斑块类型水平上草地的连结度(COHESION3)和分维数变异度(FRAC_CV3)、耕地和居民建设用地的丛生度(CLUMPY1、CLUMPY5)、居民建设用地边缘密度(ED5)是影响流域水土流失过程的重要指标,其中草地连结度对流域水土流失过程变异的解释度最高。在景观水平上景观连结度(COHESION)、平均斑块面积(AREA_MN)、景观聚集度(AI)、景观丰富度(PR)是影响水土流失过程的主要因子,其中景观聚集度(AI)对流域水土流失过程变异的解释程度最高。斑块类型水平景观格局对水土流失过程空间变异的解释能力要高于景观水平。景观格局具有明显的嵌套特性并强烈影响着流域水土流失过程,在嵌套水平上草地连结度(COHESION3)和耕地丛生度(CLUMPY1)是控制流域侵蚀产沙的主要格局因子,草地分维数变异程度(FRAC_CV3)可以抑制流域泥沙输移过程。景观格局对水土流失过程的影响机制和景观指数与反应变量间的统计学关系随尺度不同而异。     

基于SIMWE模型的典型水土保持措施侵蚀阻控路径分析——以通双小流域为例

针对东北黑土区长缓坡地形条件下坡面产汇流集中易加剧土壤侵蚀的问题,本研究基于GIS和SIMWE(SIMulated Water Erosion)模型,引入连通性指数和水深空间分布作为水文连通性与径流路径的衡量指标.通过量化不同典型水土保持措施对土壤入渗速率和地表曼宁糙率的影响,构建梯田数字高程模型(DEM)模拟表征地表...     

Connecting through space and time: catchment-scale distributions of bacteria in soil,stream water and sediment

Terrestrial and aquatic environments are linked through hydrological networks that transport abiotic components from upslope environments into aquatic ecosystems. However, our understanding of how bacteria are transported through these same networks is limited. Here, we applied 16S rRNA gene sequencing to over 500 soil, stream water and stream sediment samples collected within a native forest catchment to determine the extent to which bacterial communities in these habitats are connected. We provide evidence that while the bacterial communities in each habitat were significantly distinct from one another (PERMANOVA pairwise P < 0.001), the bacterial communities in soil and stream samples were weakly connected to each other when stream sediment sample locations were downhill of surface runoff flow paths. This pattern decreased with increasing distance between the soil and sediment samples. The connectivity between soil and stream water samples was less apparent and extremely transient; the greatest similarity between bacterial communities in soil and stream water overall was when comparing stream samples collected 1 week post soil sampling. This study shows how bacterial communities in soil, stream water and stream sediments are connected at small spatial scales and provides rare insights into the temporal dynamics of terrestrial and aquatic bacterial community connectivity.     

湿地生物连通性影响因素及测度方法研究进展

湿地是地球上最多样化和最具生产力的生态系统之一,但近年来由于人类活动的频繁干扰,自然环境以前所未有的速度变化,两者的协同作用导致湿地呈现破碎化趋势。湿地的退化、转化使得湿地生物连通性减弱。良好的湿地生物连通性有利于湿地生态系统服务功能的维持、生物多样性的保护以及生物对气候变化适应水平的提高。因此理解、评估和保护生物连通性对于湿地生态系统而言至关重要。综述了湿地生物连通性的定义、总结了生物连通发生与变化的四个相互作用因子,从结构连通性、功能连通性两个测定角度,论述动物、植物和微生物三类研究对象生物连通性的测度方法,最后从湿地生物连通的时空尺度,连通与物质循环的耦合关系,湿地生物连通性评估分析模型改进角度提出了未来的研究方向,从而确保湿地生物连通网络的完整有效。可为湿地生物多样性、湿地保护和管理提供新的思路。     

Hydro-sedimentology of the Johnstone River estuary

This paper examines the physical consequences of increased catchment sediment yields on the sediment budget and the hydrodynamic setting of the South Johnstone River estuary in North Queensland. A combined study involving hydrological monitoring, assessment of sediment sources, estimation of riverine sediment budget and hydro-sedimentological numerical modelling for estuarine sediment transport is currently underway. Initial field and laboratory observations indicate that the sediment delivery from highly erosion-prone sugar cane cultivations in the tropical catchment has increased dramatically during the last 10 years. This has subsequently given rise to elevated flood levels in both the lower and upper catchment areas, as well as significant modifications to the river bed morphology.     

基于源汇景观单元的流域土壤侵蚀风险格局识别

人类活动影响下的土地利用及其景观格局会在一定程度上影响流域土壤侵蚀的发生发展。选取位于三峡库区的綦江流域作为研究区,利用2015年航空影像数据、数字高程模型和土壤数据库,进行水文响应单元的划分,以此作为研究区的源汇景观单元。综合景观类型、土壤和坡度对土壤侵蚀影响的贡献,构建源汇景观单元权重,在此基础上,对景观空间负荷对比指数进行修正并进行土壤侵蚀风险格局识别,最后利用修正的通用土壤侵蚀方程进行土壤侵蚀的模拟,以此验证风险格局的合理性,并综合分析了源汇景观空间特征:源汇景观单元组成结构、权重和土壤侵蚀风险。结果表明:(1)源汇景观单元权重大的地区主要分布在中低山区向低丘缓坡区过渡的地带,坡度较大、土壤可蚀性较高,以及水田、旱地和居民点的源汇景观单元也较为集中分布。(2)各子流域的景观空间负荷对比指数与平均土壤侵蚀模数具有显著正相关关系,因此基于源汇景观单元并赋予其权重的景观空间负荷对比指数能较好地反映流域内部土壤侵蚀规律,可作为流域土壤侵蚀风险评价的有效方法之一。(3)依据各子流域的景观空间负荷对比指数特征可将库区綦江流域划分为五大土壤侵蚀景观风险区:北部沿江地区各子流域耕地分布较为集中且相对水流路径较短,以及林草地较少,土壤侵蚀风险大;中部丘陵地区源景观单元分布较为分散,景观空间分布不均衡,存在一定的土壤侵蚀风险;南部中低山区以林地汇景观分布为主,源景观分布相对较小,土壤侵蚀风险较低。     

黄土高原景观格局与水土流失关系研究

采用DCCA排序法对黄土高原腹地泾河流域12个子流域的景观格局与流域水土流失关系进行了定量分析.结果表明,DCCA排序的前4轴分别与农业用地比率、景观多样性指数、森林比率显著相关.各子流域的水土流失特征具有明显的梯度变异.在森林比率占65%的三水河子流域,景观相对简单、多样性低,流域年径流量大、输沙小、含沙量低,径流相对稳定;随着森林比率减小,农业用地比率增大,景观多样性升高,产流系数增高,径流深度、输沙量和含沙量增大;在森林比率很低、农业用地53.41%的洪河子流域,景观格局复杂、多样性较高,河流含沙量高、输沙率大,月输沙和径流变异极大;在农业用地比率减小,其他景观类型比率增大,景观相对简单的环江上、下游子流域,输沙量和含沙量减小,但输沙和径流的年际变化极大.排序分析结果较清晰地解释了黄土高原典型地区水土流失特征沿景观梯度的变化规律.     

Improving landscape connectivity for the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey through cropland reforestation using graph theory

Habitat fragmentation is a threat to biodiversity because it restricts the ability of animals to move. Maintaining landscape connectivity could promote connections between habitat patches, which is extremely important for the preservation of gene flow and population viability. This paper aims to evaluate the landscape connectivity of forest areas as it relates to the conservation of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti), an emblematic and endemic endangered primate species. Specifically, this study seeks to model ways to improve connectivity via cropland reforestation scenarios which incorporate graph theory and genetic distances. The connectivity improvement assessment is performed at two nested scales. At the regional scale, the aim is to quantitatively assess the gain in connectivity from different reforestation scenarios, in which croplands are replaced by different kinds of forest habitats. At the local scale, the goal is to prioritize and to locate croplands based on the gain in connectivity that they would provide if they were reforested. The results indicate that the four reforestation scenarios have different impacts on connectivity; the fourth scenario, in which reforestation is accomplished with plant species that provide optimal monkey habitat, yields the greatest increase in connectivity (+24% versus less than +2% for the others). Prioritization of the 1482 cropland patches shows that the 10 best patches increase connectivity from 0.04% to 9.1% as the isolation threshold distance increases. This kind of graph theoretic approach appears to be a useful tool for connectivity assessment and the development of conservation measures for species impacted by human activities.     

生物结皮分布格局对坡面流水动力特征的影响

生物结皮的分布格局是影响坡面产流产沙的因素之一,但其格局对侵蚀动力的影响机理尚不明确,妨碍了进一步解析生物结皮影响坡面产流产沙的机制。本研究通过室内模拟降雨试验,采用景观生态学方法,对带状、棋盘和随机3种分布格局下生物结皮坡面景观指数和水力学参数的变化规律与裸土坡面进行对比研究。结果表明: 生物结皮显著影响坡面侵蚀动力,其分布格局是影响坡面侵蚀动力的因素之一。与裸土相比,生物结皮显著降低了坡面流速(54.6%)和弗劳德数(67.0%),显著增加了径流深(86.2%)和阻力系数(10.68倍),但对雷诺数和径流功率的影响较小;除径流深外,3种格局的生物结皮坡面的各水力学参数均存在显著差异,其中,随机格局对坡面侵蚀动力的影响最大。基于因子分析和聚类分析,筛选出斑块占景观面积比例、斑块密度、景观形状指数、斑块连结度和分离度5个指标作为描述生物结皮斑块分布特征的指标。其中,生物结皮斑块间的斑块连结度和分离度是影响坡面侵蚀动力的主要格局因子。随着生物结皮斑块间斑块连结度减小、分离度增大,坡面流速增加,阻力减小,坡面侵蚀加剧。     

三峡库区典型农林流域景观格局对径流和泥沙输出的影响

以三峡库区秭归县25个典型农林复合小流域作为研究对象,斑块类型水平上选取斑块面积比例指数(PLAND),景观水平上选取斑块丰富度密度(PRD)、双对数回归分维数(DLFD)、Shannon-Weaver多样性指数(SHDI)、聚集度(CONT)等5类景观指数,基于遥感和GIS技术,应用AnnAGNPS(Annualized AGricultural Non-Point Source)模型模拟流域径流和泥沙输出,FRAGSTATS软件计算流域景观格局指数,SPSS19.0分析景观指数和径流、泥沙的相关回归关系,从景观水平探讨景观格局特征对径流、泥沙输出的影响。结果表明：流域径流量与农坡地PLAND、农梯地PLAND、农林梯地PLAND、居民地PLAND、CONT等指数显著正相关,林地PLAND、灌木地PLAND与径流量显著负相关;农坡地PLAND、农林梯地PLAND、居民地PLAND、CONT等与泥沙输出量显著正相关,林地PLAND、灌木地PLAND、SHDI等与泥沙显著负相关。景观指数(因子)与径流和泥沙输出量复相关系数R为0.856和0.962(均高度相关),复相关系数R均大于相对应的单因子相关系数。流域景观水平上,景观格局对径流和泥沙输出影响均显著,景观空间格局是景观功能多样性的反馈,本文是景观格局影响生态过程(径流、泥沙输出)的又一例证。     

Patterns and Dynamics of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in Boreal Streams: The Role of Processes,Connectivity, and Scaling

We bring together three decades of research from a boreal catchment to facilitate an improved mechanistic understanding of surface water dissolved organic carbon (DOC) regulation across multiple scales. The Krycklan Catchment Study encompasses 15 monitored nested research catchments, ranging from 3 to 6900 ha in size, as well as a set of monitored transects of forested and wetland soils. We show that in small homogenous catchments, hydrological functioning provides a first order control on the temporal variability of stream water DOC. In larger, more heterogeneous catchments, stream water DOC dynamics are regulated by the combined effect of hydrological mechanisms and the proportion of major landscape elements, such as wetland and forested areas. As a consequence, streams with heterogeneous catchments undergo a temporal switch in the DOC source. In a typical boreal catchment covered by 10-20% wetlands, DOC originates predominantly from wetland sources during low flow conditions. During high flow, the major source of DOC is from forested areas of the catchment. We demonstrate that by connecting knowledge about DOC sources in the landscape with detailed hydrological process understanding, an improved representation of stream water DOC regulation can be provided. The purpose of this study is to serve as a framework for appreciating the role of regulating mechanisms, connectivity and scaling for understanding the pattern and dynamics of surface water DOC across complex landscapes. The results from this study suggest that the sensitivity of stream water DOC in the boreal landscape ultimately depends on changes within individual landscape elements, the proportion and connectivity of these affected landscape elements, and how these changes are propagated downstream.     

灌木斑块格局对产流及产沙过程的影响

研究景观斑块盖度和连通方式影响下坡面径流、输沙及其水动力学参量的变化规律,对于揭示坡面土壤侵蚀过程的水动力机制和水文连通性具有重要意义。本研究采用野外人工模拟降雨试验,分析灌木样地不同覆盖度水平(0%、20%、40%、60%、90%)和不同连通方式(竖路径、横路径、S路径、随机斑块路径)下坡面径流、输沙及其水动力学参量的变化。结果表明: 随灌木覆盖度增加,产流量和产沙量均呈指数递减趋势;覆盖度增加到60%以上时,灌木减水减沙能力趋于稳定。随灌木覆盖度增加,流速、径流深、雷诺数、弗劳德数、径流功率和径流剪切力显著降低,曼宁糙率系数和Darcy-Weisbach阻力系数显著增大;但当灌木覆盖度增加到60%以上时,水力学参数特征值变化无显著差异。4种连通方式的产流率大小依次为竖路径>S路径>横路径>随机斑块;产沙率表现为竖路径最大,S路径次之,横路径与随机斑块无显著差异。连通性差的路径(横路径、随机斑块路径)与连通性好的路径(竖路径、S路径)相比,表现出较强的水力传输阻力和较差的水力挟沙能力。研究灌木斑块不同覆盖度和不同组合方式对坡面产流产沙量和水动力参量的作用,阐明植被减水减沙的临界盖度和合理配置方式,可为黄土高原水土流失治理和黄河流域高质量发展提供重要的理论依据。     

A hierarchical approach to ecosystem assessment of restoration planning at regional,catchment and local scales in Japan

A hierarchical approach to restoration planning at the regional, catchment and local scales is proposed and examined. Restoration projects limited to a local scale and focused on habitat improvement for individual species ended in failure, which has led to the recognition that there is a need for ecosystem-based management at the landscape level. The first landscape-level restoration in Japan is under way in the Kushiro and Shibetsu River Basins, in northern Japan. However, public consensus on these large-scale restoration projects has not yet matured and there are very few projects that have progressed even as far as mapping to classify intact and disturbed ecosystems. Classification of habitat quality using physical and biological indicators appears to be the core element of analysis of ecological degradation at the regional scale (100–1,000 km²). This mass-screening process is critical to identify areas in potential need of restoration. The causes and mechanisms of ecosystem degradation are then examined at the catchment scale (10–100 km²) by linking material flows and habitat conditions. Direct environmental gradient analysis is useful to determine cause and effect relationships between species and habitat quality. Finally, we recommend implementation of field experiments with a clear hypothesis at the local scale (0.01–1 km²). At this stage, key variables causing degradation of the target ecosystem are manipulated to verify the hypothesis. Based on the results of local-scale analyses, the possibility of restoration success can be evaluated, which directs us to practical schemes for future restoration projects at larger scales.     

植被格局对侵蚀产沙影响的研究评述

土壤侵蚀是人类可持续发展的重要挑战,植被重建则是防控侵蚀产沙的有效手段。在当前水土资源日益稀缺的新形势下,优化植被布局将成为黄土高原等生态脆弱地区未来阻蚀减沙、改善环境的重要途径,有关植被格局对侵蚀产沙影响的科技需求更加急迫、意义更加重要。为此,从坡面与流域两个尺度,总结评述了侵蚀产沙研究中的植被格局表征、侵蚀产沙对植被格局的变化响应两个议题的研究进展。分析认为,目前主要存在缺乏反映侵蚀产沙过程的植被格局表征指数、较少考虑植被与地形叠置格局对侵蚀产沙的耦合影响、尚未建立侵蚀产沙对植被格局的直观响应关系等问题。为促进有关研究,今后在格局指数和耦合关系的构建中应重视植被和地形对侵蚀产沙过程的耦合影响,并选用具有良好应用精度的分布式物理成因模型,以获得反映植被格局影响的流域侵蚀产沙结果。同时,可通过采用GIS空间分析技术,设计获得更多的典型植被格局及对应情景的侵蚀产沙,以丰富基础资料,减少信息干扰。     

汉江流域景观格局变化对土壤侵蚀的影响

在流域尺度上,景观格局变化是决定土壤侵蚀程度的重要因素。以汉江流域为研究区域,基于2000—2015年四期土地利用类型数据及环境气象数据,运用中国土壤流失方程和逐步回归法,探究景观格局变化对土壤侵蚀的影响。结果表明:(1)在2000—2015年间,汉江流域土壤侵蚀量下降,高值区分布在流域中部草地区,低值区分布在流域东西两侧的林地和耕地区。不同坡度下各等级土壤侵蚀量不同,侵蚀量最大值出现在10—30°的坡度范围内。(2)研究期间,汉江流域的景观破碎化程度加强,斑块形状趋于简单,各斑块自身连通性增强,景观类型空间分布均匀。(3)汉江流域土壤侵蚀量与斑块密度和平均邻接度指数呈正相关,与蔓延度指数和香农均匀度指数呈负相关,即景观破碎度越高、连通性越差,土壤越容易遭受侵蚀,反之则不易受到侵蚀;研究表明景观格局变化对土壤侵蚀有显著影响,结果可为流域尺度景观管理与水土保持研究提供参考。     

Scale and the detection of land-use effects on morphology, vegetation and macroinvertebrate communities of grassland streams

1. Land‐use studies are challenging because of the difficulty of finding catchments that can be used as replicates and because land‐use effects may be obscured by sources of variance acting over spatial scales smaller than the catchment. To determine the extent to which land‐use effects on stream ecosystems are scale dependent, we designed a whole‐catchment study of six matched pairs (pasture versus native tussock) of second‐order stream catchments, taking replicate samples from replicate bedforms (pools and riffles) in each stream. 2. Pasture streams had a smaller representation of endemic riparian plant species, particularly tussock grasses, higher bank erosion, a somewhat deeper layer of fine sediment, lower water velocities in riffles, less moss cover and higher macroinvertebrate biodiversity. At the bedform scale, suspendable inorganic sediment (SIS) was higher in pools than riffles and in pasture streams there was a negative relationship between SIS and the percentage of the bed free of overhanging vegetation. Differences between stream reaches (including any interactions between land use and stream pair) were significant for SIS, substrate depth and characteristics of riparian vegetation. There were also significant differences between replicate bedforms in the same stream reaches in percentage exotic species in overhanging vegetation, percentage moss cover, QMCI (Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index – a macroinvertebrate‐based stream health index) and macroinvertebrate density. 3. Significant differences among stream reaches and among replicate bedform units within the same reach, as well as interactions between these spatial units and land‐use effects, are neither trivial nor ‘noise’ but represent real differences among spatial units that typically are unaccounted for in stream studies. Our multi‐scale study design, accompanied by an investigation of the explanatory power of different factors operating at different scales, provides an improved understanding of variability in nature.