Transport and retention of matter in riparian ecotones

The stream ecosystem is described as a three-layered system, vertically as well as horizontally. The land/stream ecotone is defined as the area where lotic and edaphic characters overlap at the time of observation. The study site — Oberer Seebach, near the Biological Station Lunz — and the methods employed are described. Only a surprisingly small fraction (less than 10 %) of total imports is transported across the surface ecotones. The driving variables determining bank runoff and aerial drift are described and discussed. The importance of channel areas which are periodically flooded is stressed.Dedicated to Professor Agnes Ruttner-Kolisko on the occasion of her 80th birthday.Dedicated to Professor Agnes Ruttner-Kolisko on the occasion of her 80th birthday.