Variability in flood disturbance and the impact on riparian tree recruitment in two contrasting river systems

The vegetation within the riparian zone performs animportant ecological function for in-stream processes.In Australia, riparian zones are regarded as the mostdegraded natural resource zone due to disturbancessuch as river regulation and livestock grazing. Thisstudy looks at factors influencing vegetation dynamicsof riparian tree species on two contrasting riversystems in Western Australia. The Blackwood River insouth-western Australia is influenced by aMediterranean type climate with regular seasonalwinter flows. The Ord River in north-western Australiais characterized by low winter base flows andepisodic, extreme flows influenced by monsoon rains inthe summer. For both rivers, reproductive phenology ofstudied overstory species is timed to coincide withseasonal river hydrology and rainfall. An evendistribution of size classes of trees on the BlackwoodRiver indicated recruitment into the population iscontinual and related to the regular predictableseasonal river flows and rainfall. In contrast, on theOrd River tree size class distribution was clustered,indicating episodic recruitment. On both rivers treeestablishment is also influenced by elevation abovethe river, microtopography, moisture status and soiltype. In terms of vegetation dynamics riparianvegetation on the Ord River consists of long periodsof transition with short lived stable states incontrast to the Blackwood river where tree populationstructure is characterized by long periods of stablestates with short transitions.     

Nutrient limitation of plant growth on the floodplain of the Narran River, Australia: growth experiments and a pilot soil survey

Water resource development has altered the hydrological regime on the Lower Balonne River in Queensland, Australia. Concerns have been raised about possible impacts to floodplain plant communities, which support a pastoral industry and a range of native fauna. Water and nutrients commonly limit plant growth in south central Queensland, where the climate is semi-arid and the soils are infertile. Floodplain plant productivity is boosted by inundation with water, but the role of flooding in nutrient provision is not known. Growth experiments and a pilot soil survey were conducted to help determine if soil nutrient deficiencies exist and if regular flooding is required to maintain floodplain soil fertility. Soils were sampled from areas representing three flood frequency classes: high, moderate, and low. Chemical extractions were performed as a surrogate for `bioavailable' nutrients. Soil nitrogen (N) but not phosphorus (P) limited the growth of seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Gardia) based on responses to nutrient additions: plants supplied with N had greater shoot length and total biomass than plants without N. Clear evidence of an effect of flood frequency on fertility was not revealed. Neither soil P, soil N, nor plant growth varied significantly with flood frequency. However, this analysis had low statistical power. There were trends for greater biomass of seedlings grown on moderately flooded soils and thinner roots for seedlings grown on frequently flooded soils, but neither of these growth responses was clearly linked to nutrient limitation. Nevertheless, the possibility that flooding provides a nutrient subsidy to plants cannot be ruled out because of a number of factors, including the statistical power of this analysis and the possibility that short-term nutrient subsidies occur with floods.     

Response surface methodology study of the combined effects of temperature, pH, and aw on the growth rate of Trichoderma asperellum

AIMS: To evaluate the influence of environmental parameters (water activity aw, temperature, and pH) on the radial growth rate of Trichoderma asperellum (strains PR10, PR11, PR12, and 659-7), an antagonist of Phytophthora megakarya, the causal agent of cocoa black pod disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: The radial growth of four strains of T. asperellum was monitored for 30 days on modified PDA medium. Six levels of aw (0.995, 0.980, 0.960, 0.930, 0.910, and 0.880) were combined with three values of pH (4.5, 6.5, and 8.5) and three incubation temperatures (20, 25, and 30 degrees C). Whatever the strain, mycelial growth rate was optimal at aw between 0.995 and 0.980, independently of the temperature and pH. Each strain appeared to be very sensitive to aw reduction. In addition, all four strains were able to grow at all temperatures and pH values (4.5-8.5) tested, highest growth rate being observed at 30 degrees C and at pH 4.5-6.5. The use of response surface methodology to model the combined effects of aw, temperature, and pH on the radial growth rate of the T. asperellum strains confirmed the observed results. In our model, growth of the T. asperellum strains showed a greater dependence on aw than on temperature or pH under in vitro conditions. CONCLUSION: aw is a crucial environmental factor. Low aw can prevent growth of T. asperellum strains under some conditions. The observed and predicted radial growth rate of strain PR11 showed its greater capacity to support low aw (0.93) as compared with other tested strains at 20 degrees C. This is in agreement with its better protective level when applied in medium-scale trials on cocoa plantations. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study should contribute towards improving the biocontrol efficacy of T. asperellum strains used against P. megakarya. Integrated into a broader study of the impact of environmental factors on the biocontrol agent-pathogen system, this work should help to build a more rational control strategy, possibly involving the use of a compatible adjuvant protecting T. asperellum against desiccation.     

Effects of siltation on stream fishes and the potential mitigating role of the buffering riparian zone

Riparian buffer zones serve several important roles in linking a stream to its watershed. A main function is controlling the dynamics of sedimentation. This paper documents how siltation impacts fish communities and how proper riparian management can mitigate the negative effects of sedimentation. Two studies examined the relation between stream siltation and fish community characteristics. Community responses to siltation were poorly described by common structural indices. Community level responses to varying siltation were most consistently described by changes in functional characteristics of the resident fish species using a guild-based analysis. Herbivores, benthic insectivores and simple lithophilous spawners were most sensitive to siltation while other guilds were not. These results were repeatable in both intraregional comparisons among sites of similar size and character, and in interregional comparisons of streams which varied in characteristics besides siltation. This suggests the index may be useful in separating the effects of siltation from other environmental variables. A discussion of bufferstrip characteristics important in mitigating against, or preventing, excess siltation is presented.     

Effects of removal of riparian vegetation on algae and heterotrophs in a Mediterranean stream

The effect of removal of a riparian strip on aquaticautotrophic (algae) and heterotrophic (bacteria,macroinvertebrates) organisms was monitored in aMediterranean stream during the canopy growing period.Community composition, biomass and metabolicactivities were compared with those recorded during apre-riparian removal period and in a forested stretchdownstream. Higher irradiance was associated with Cladophora increase in the logged section. Algalbiomass increased up to ten times, and productivitywas up to four times higher than in the pre-removalperiod and the forested section. Bacterialcommunities showed higher ectoenzymatic activities(-glucosidase, -xylosidase) in thelogged section than in forested conditions. Moreoverthe coincidence between the maxima of-glucosidase and chlorophyll-a suggeststhat bacterial activity was enhanced by the higheravailability of high-quality algal material. Themacroinvertebrate community had higher density andbiomass in the logged section than in the forestedsection and in the pre-removal period. Scrapers andfilterers become dominant after riparian removal,while shredders, predators and collectors did not showsignificant changes either between sites or periods.Responses of environmental variables and bioticcommunities indicate that the changes occurring in thestream due to riparian removal could be consideredbottom-up controlled, as increased illumination wasthe main mechanism responsible.     

Nitrate depletion in the riparian zone and stream channel of a small headwater catchment

A mass balance procedure was used to determine rates of nitrate depletion in the riparian zone and stream channel of a small New Zealand headwater stream. In all 12 surveys the majority of nitrate loss (56–100%) occurred in riparian organic soils, despite these soils occupying only 12% of the stream's border. This disproportionate role of the organic soils in depleting nitrate was due to two factors. Firstly, they were located at the base of hollows and consequently a disproportionately high percentage (37–81%) of the groundwater flowed through them in its passage to the stream. Secondly, they were anoxic and high in both denitrifying enzyme concentration and available carbon. Direct estimates ofin situ denitrification rate for organic soils near the upslope edge (338 mg N m^–2 h^–1) were much higher than average values estimated for the organic soils as a whole (0.3–2.1 mg N m^–2 h^–1) and suggested that areas of these soils were limited in their denitrification activity by the supply of nitrate. The capacity of these soils to regulate nitrate flux was therefore under-utilized. The majority of stream channel nitrate depletion was apparently due to plant uptake, with estimates of thein situ denitrification rate of stream sediments being less than 15% of the stream channel nitrate depletion rate estimated by mass balance.This study has shown that catchment hydrology can interact in a variety of ways with the biological processes responsible for nitrate depletion in riparian and stream ecosystems thereby having a strong influence on nitrate flux. This reinforces the view that those seeking to understand the functioning of these ecosystems need to consider hydrological phenomena.     

Influence of the growth rate calculation on the relationship between growth rate and temperature

Three calculations of the growth rate (e.g. slope of a plot of the log10 of cfu ml-1 vs time, mum of the Gompertz equation and the reciprocal of time to obtain 108 cfu ml-1) were compared for Escherichia coli TG1 growing in tryptone soy broth medium at temperatures ranging from 14 to 39 degrees C. Up to now, the influence of using such different definitions on the relationship between microbial growth rate and temperature has never been investigated. In order to compare these calculation procedures, a dimensionless analysis based on the following normalized variables, mudim = mu/muopt and Tdim = [T-Tmin]/[Topt-Tmin], was used (Dantigny 1998). The influence of suboptimal temperatures on the growth rate was represented by means of a Belehràdek-type model based on a power function law: [mudim] = [Tdim]alpha. The influence of the different growth rate calculations on the model constants was assessed. Despite the great dependence of the raw growth rate values on the calculation procedure, the dimensionless analysis demonstrated that the alpha-value is independent of the growth rate definition. This result suggests that any definition for the growth rate can be utilized in studies aimed at determining the influence of temperature on microbial growth and highlights the interest of using dimensionless variables to overcome differences in the order of magnitude of the growth rate data and to avoid confusion between definitions.     

The effect of air temperature on the starting dates of theUlmus, Platanus andOlea pollen seasons in the SE Iberian Peninsula

A study is made of the effect of air temperature on the start of the pollen seasons of three tree species—Ulmus, Platanus andOlea—in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula. These initial results are based on an aerobiological analysis performed over a 4-year period in the city of Granada, Spain. Sampling was carried out with a Burkard spore trap. The main aim of the present study was to use regression analysis to identify the preseasonal date when these species start to accumulate heat in their floral buds, enabling models to be created that indicate the onset of the pollen season for these taxa. ForUlmus there was no significant correlation between the onset of pollination and the mean temperature during the preceding period, whereasPlatanus presented a significant correlation with mean temperature during the month of January, andOlea with mean temperature during the second fortnight in February and the month of March. ForUlmus, the start of the pollen season ranged between 30 January and 8 February; forPlatanus, between 13 and 17 March; and forOlea, between 20 April and 13 May. The accumulated temperature needed to induce the onset of flowering ranged between 121 and 256°C forUlmus, with values of 428–607°C and 656–881°C forPlatanus andOlea, respectively.     

Growth, production and bioenergetics of brown trout in upland streams with contrasting riparian vegetation

1. A series of laboratory-based equations on trout growth and bioenergetics developed by J.M. Elliott were applied to data collected for brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.) under field conditions in Co. Mayo, Western Ireland. Fish were collected by electrofishing eight upland streams with contrasting riparian vegetation; grassland, open canopy and closed canopy deciduous.
2. Stream temperatures, one of the main influencing factors on fish growth and energetics, did not differ significantly between riparian types.
3. Observed growth rates were lower than the predicted maximum growth rates and were not influenced by riparian vegetation type. Growth ranged between 0.66% day⁻¹ for 0 + trout to 0.08% day⁻¹ for 2 + trout.
4. Production estimates showed no clear difference between riparian vegetation types over the growing season.
5. Fish densities and biomass tended to be greater in closed canopy streams particularly in summer.
6. Actual ration sizes calculated for trout were similar to the ration required for maintenance metabolism and were only 45–63% of the maximum potential rations. Although there was an ontogenetic increase in ration size with increasing fish age, the proportion of ration available for growth (i.e. the difference between actual and maintenance rations) did not differ between age classes but was greatest in summer. 1+ and 2+ trout show greatest ration available for growth in grassland streams.
7. Trout growth did not differ between riparian vegetation types but did vary seasonally with greatest attainment in summer. Growth was limited in the present study possibly due to combined effects of reduced prey available to fish and low stream temperatures reducing metabolic requirements. In such food limited systems, terrestrial invertebrate energy subsidies could have significant benefits to brown trout growth, production and bioenergetics.     

Effects of fluvial geomorphology on riparian tree species in Rekifune River,northern Japan

Classification of riverbed geomorphic surfaces based on flooding frequency was conducted and the relationship between their distribution and river morphology was analyzed, to provide an understanding of the structure and species composition of riparian forests dominated by Chosenia arbutifolia. The channel floors of two contrasting river morphologies (bar-braided and incised meandering channels), were divided into five geomorphic surfaces (gravel bar, lower and upper floodplains, secondary channel, and terrace) based on the water level of a 2-yr and a 20-yr recurrence interval. The environmental variables of the same geomorphic surfaces showed similar trends regardless of braided and meandering channel morphology, but differed significantly among the five geomorphic surfaces, which influenced the dominance of tree species. The geomorphic surface map based on recurrence interval of flood and physiognomical vegetation map based on aerial photos appeared almost identical. Geomorphic surface distribution, determined by river channel dynamics and the sediment transport processes occurring at a larger scale and a longer time frame, played an important role in shaping the structure and composition of the riparian forests. C. arbutifolia dominated gravel bar, and the upper and lower floodplains, because these geomorphic surfaces were characterized by gravelly soils which have lower soil moisture availability than soils of other geomorphic surfaces. Thus, an extensive distribution of C. arbutifolia in the braided channel section can be attributed to the frequent lateral migrations of river channels, which resulted in a high ratio of gravel bars, and lower and upper floodplains. In order to preserve indigenous plant communities in riparian zone, dynamic nature and processes of braided rivers should be maintained.     

Influence of climatic factors on tree growth in riparian forests in the humid and dry savannas of the Volta basin,Ghana

Key message

The paper demonstrates the prospects and applications of dendrochronology for understanding climate change effects on riparian forests in the savanna landscape. 

Abstract

Riparian trees in savannas have a potential for dendro-climatic studies, but have been neglected hitherto. We examined ring-width series of Afzelia africana (evergreen) and Anogeissus leiocarpus (deciduous) to study the influence of climatic factors on the growth of riparian trees in the humid (HS) and dry (DS) savanna zones of the Volta basin in Ghana. A total of 31 stem discs belonging to A. africana and A. leiocarpus were selected from HS and DS to establish species-specific local chronologies of tree growth. Each individual of A. africana and A. leiocarpus from the two savanna sites showed distinct growth rings. Cross-dating of individual tree-ring patterns was successful using standard dendrochronological techniques. The mean annual growth rates of A. africana in the HS (1.38 ± 0.09) and DS (1.34 ± 0.08) were not statistically different. Furthermore, mean annual growth rate of A. leiocarpus in the DS (3.75 ± 0.27) was higher than in the HS (2.83 ± 0.16) suggesting that species in drier environment can have higher growth rates when sufficient soil moisture is available. The growth rates of both species at the same sites were different, which might indicate different water use strategies. High correlations of individual tree-ring series of A. africana and A. leiocarpus trees at HS and DS suggest a strong climatic forcing controlled by the seasonal movement of the inter-tropical convergence zone. The annual growth of A. africana and A. leiocarpus at both the HS and DS was significantly correlated with local temperature and precipitation. The negative correlations of the growth of the two tree species to global sea surface temperatures were however, indications that the growth of riparian forests can be impacted during El Niño-Southern Oscillation years. The result of our study shows that riparian trees in the humid and dry savanna zones of West Africa can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies.

     

Influence of hydrological fluctuations on the growth and nutrient dynamics ofPhalaris arundinacea L. in a riparian environment

Seasonal changes in aboveground and belowground tissues ofPhalaris arundinacea L. were studied in a population colonizing an ancient meander of the Garonne river (France) submitted to important fluctuations of the permanent water table. Waterlogged conditions in spring stopped the growth of rhizomes and promoted the translocation of nutrient to the shoots. The early senescence of plants after flowering could be related to the withdrawal of the water table. It was characterized by a distribution of nutrients in belowground tissues and a release in litter and soil. Aerated conditions in late summer permitted the growth of belowground tissues. At this time a partition of resources between aboveground and belowground biomass of a new generation of plants was observed. Rising water and decreasing temperatures in winter induced the death of aboveground parts. Reconstitution of nutrient stocks in rhizomes and losses by leaching then occured. Beside a very high primary production this strategy confers toPhalaris arundinacea a great interest in different uses, especially in the removal of nutrients from water in riparian zones as in artificial sites.     

Modelling the effect of temperature, water activity and pH on the growth of Serpula lacrymans

Aims: To predict the risk factors for building infestation by Serpula lacrymans, which is one of the most destructive fungi causing timber decay in buildings. Methods and Results: The growth rate was assessed on malt extract agar media at temperatures between 1·5 and 45°C, at water activity (a_w) over the range of 0·800–0·993 and at pH ranges from 1·5 to 11·0. The radial growth rate (μ) and the lag phase (λ) were estimated from the radial growth kinetics via the plots radius vs time. These parameters were then modelled as a function of the environmental factors tested. Models derived from the cardinal model (CM) were used to fit the experimental data and allowed an estimation of the optimal and limit values for fungal growth. Optimal growth rate occurred at 20°C, at high a_w level (0·993) and at a pH range between 4·0 and 6·0. The strain effect on the temperature parameters was further evaluated using 14 strains of S. lacrymans. The robustness of the temperature model was validated on data sets measured in two different wood‐based media (Quercus robur L. and Picea abies). Conclusions: The two‐step procedure of exponential model with latency followed by the CM with inflection gives reliable predictions for the growth conditions of a filamentous fungus in our study. The procedure was validated for the study of abiotic factors on the growth rate of S. lacrymans. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work describes the usefulness of evaluating the effect of physico‐chemical factors on fungal growth in predictive building mycology. Consequently, the developed mathematical models for predicting fungal growth on a macroscopic scale can be used as a tool for risk assessment of timber decay in buildings.     

Stature of sub-arctic birch in relation to growth rate, lifespan and tree form

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sub-arctic mountain birch Betula pubescens var. pumila communities in the North Atlantic region are of variable stature, ranging from prostrate scrubs to forests with trees up to 12 m high. Four hypotheses were tested, relating growth and population characteristics of sub-arctic birch woodland and scrub to tree stature; i.e. the variable stature of birch woods is due to differences in (1) the mean growth rate; (2) the age-related patterns of growth rate; (3) the life expectancy of stems; or (4) the tree form. Methods: A stratified random sample of 300 birch trees was drawn from the total population of indigenous birch woodlands and scrub in Iceland, yielding 286 valid sample genets. The population was divided into three sub-populations with dominant trees 0-2, 2-4 and 4-12 m tall, referred to as birch scrub, birch scrub-woodland and birch forest, respectively. KEY RESULTS: Trees in the scrub population were of more contorted growth form than birch in the scrub-woodland and forest populations. Mean growth rates, mean age and median life expectancies increased significantly with sub-population of greater tree stature. At the population level, annual increment and longevity of birch stems was apparently interrelated as the stems in vigorously growing birch sub-populations had a longer life expectancy than those of slower growth. However, no difference was observed between sub-populations in age-related patterns of extension growth rate. CONCLUSIONS: The results were consistent with hypotheses (1), (3) and (4), but hypothesis (2) was rejected. Hence, mountain birch of more vigorous growth attains a greater stature than birch of lesser increment due to faster extension growth rate and a longer lifespan. In addition, the more contorted stem form of scrub populations contributes to their low stature.     

Development, maintenance and role of riparian vegetation in the river landscape

1. Riparian structure and function were considered from a longitudinal perspective in order to identify multiscale couplings with adjacent ecosystems and to identify research needs. 2. We characterized functional zones (with respect to vegetation development in association with various biogeochemical processes) within geomorphological settings using a delineation based upon erosional, transitional and depositional properties. 3. Vegetation dynamics within the riparian corridor are clearly influenced substantially by hydrological disturbance regimes. In turn, we suggest that vegetation productivity and diversity may widely influence riverine biogeochemical processes, especially as related to the consequences of changing redox conditions occurring from upstream to downstream. 4. However, surface and groundwater linkages are the predominant controls of landscape connectivity within riparian systems. 5. The importance of riparian zones as sources and sinks of matter and energy was examined in context of structural and functional attributes, such as sequestering or cycling of nutrients in sediments, retention of water in vegetation, and retention, diffusion or dispersal of biota. 6. The consequences of interactions between different communities (e.g. animals and plants, micro-organisms and plants) on biogeochemical processes are notably in need of research, especially with respect to control of landscape features. Multiscale approaches, coupling regional and local factors in all three spatial dimensions, are needed in order to understand more synthetically and to model biogeochemical and community processes within the river-riparian-upland landscape of catchments.     

Influence of riparian cover on stream temperatures and the growth of the mayfly <Emphasis Type=Italic>Baetis rhodani</Emphasis> in an upland stream

This research aimed to assess whether stream temperature and the size of Baetis rhodani larvae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) differed between sites with contrasting riparian vegetation cover. Stream temperatures and Baetis sizes were monitored at sites along a 5-km section of a small (30 km²) upland Scottish stream. Some sites had riparian tree cover dominated by mature broadleaved woodland, while others were located in areas of open Calluna moorland. The 13 month data period included two contrasting summers, one typical for the region and the other unusually warm. Daytime water temperatures were generally highest at the open moorland sites. The difference between moorland and broadleaved woodland sites was most apparent in the summer months, with the woodland shading apparently acting to reduce maximum temperatures and mediate temporal fluctuations. Size data suggest that Baetis has a bivoltine life-cycle in the stream. Significant differences in the mean size of Baetis were found between moorland and woodland sites, with differences occurring primarily during the summer months. Mean size of Baetis was significantly greater in the moorland during the time of summer adult emergence. During the months that followed (growth of the next generation), Baetis larvae in the woodland sites were significantly larger. Size distribution data for the population suggest earlier adult emergence in the moorland section and different egg-to-larvae hatch times. Overall, the results indicate that subtle differences in growth and life cycles, linked to differences in riparian cover and streamwater temperature, can occur over short distances in upland streams.     

An assessment of riparian restoration outcomes in two rural catchments in south‐western Victoria: Focusing on tree and shrub species richness,structure and recruitment characteristics

Riparian ecosystems are among the most degraded systems in the landscape, and there has been substantial investment in their restoration. Consequently, monitoring restoration interventions offers opportunities to further develop the science of riparian restoration, particularly how to move from small‐scale implementation to a broader landscape scale. Here, we report on a broad range of riparian revegetation projects in two regions of south‐western Victoria, the Corangamite and Glenelg‐Hopkins Catchment Management Areas. The objectives of restoration interventions in these regions have been stated quite broadly, for example, to reinstate terrestrial habitat and biodiversity, control erosion and improve water quality. This study reports on tree and shrub composition, structure and recruitment after restoration works compared with remnant vegetation found regionally. Within each catchment, a total of 57 sites from six subcatchments were identified, representing three age‐classes: <4, 4–8 and >8–12 years after treatment, as well as untreated (control) sites. Treatments comprised fencing to exclude stock, spraying or slashing to reduce weed cover, followed by planting with tube stock. Across the six subcatchments, 12 reference (remnant) sites were used to provide a benchmark for species richness, structural and recruitment characteristics and to aid interpretation of the effects of the restoration intervention. Vegetation structure was well developed in the treated sites by 4–8 years after treatment. However, structural complexity was higher at remnant sites than at treated or untreated sites due to a higher richness of small shrubs. Tree and shrub recruitment occurred in all remnant sites and at 64% of sites treated >4 years ago. Most seedling recruitment at treatment sites was by Acacia spp. This assessment provides data on species richness, structure and recruitment characteristics following restoration interventions. Data from this study will contribute to longitudinal studies of vegetation processes in riparian landscapes of south‐western Victoria.     

Context‐specific influence of water temperature on brook trout growth rates in the field

1. Modelling the effects of climate change on freshwater fishes requires robust field‐based estimates accounting for interactions among multiple factors. 2. We used data from an 8‐year individual‐based study of a wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) population to test the influence of water temperature on season‐specific growth in the context of variation in other environmental (i.e. season, stream flow) or biotic factors (local brook trout biomass density and fish age and size) in West Brook, a third‐order stream in western Massachusetts, U.S.A. 3. Changes in ambient temperature influenced individual growth rates. In general, higher temperatures were associated with higher growth rates in winter and spring and lower growth rates in summer and autumn. However, the effect of temperature on growth was strongly context‐dependent, differing in both magnitude and direction as a function of season, stream flow and fish biomass density. 4. We found that stream flow and temperature had strong and complex interactive effects on trout growth. At the coldest temperatures (in winter), high stream flows were associated with reduced trout growth rates. During spring and autumn and in typical summers (when water temperatures were close to growth optima), higher flows were associated with increased growth rates. In addition, the effect of flow at a given temperature (the flow‐temperature interaction) differed among seasons. 5. Trout density negatively affected growth rate and had strong interactions with temperature in two of four seasons (i.e. spring and summer) with greater negative effects at high temperatures. 6. Our study provided robust, integrative field‐based estimates of the effects of temperature on growth rates for a species which serves as a model organism for cold‐water adapted ectotherms facing the consequences of environmental change. Results of the study strongly suggest that failure to derive season‐specific estimates, or to explicitly consider interactions with flow regime and fish density, will seriously compromise our ability to predict the effects of climate change on stream fish growth rates. Further, the concordance we found between empirical observations and likely energetic mechanisms suggests that our general results should be relevant at broader spatial and temporal scales.