Question

the river continuum concept predicts changes in the biotic and abiotic environment as one moves through a watershed from small headwater streams (upstream) to large, fast-flowing rivers (downstream). typically, aquatic net primary productivity increases as one moves from headwater streams to higher-order rivers. given this, which would you not expect to be true as you move downstream?

Answer 1

The river continuum concept predicts changes in the biotic and abiotic environment as you move downstream from headwater streams to larger rivers. However, the water in higher-order rivers will not be clear and low in nutrients like it is in headwater streams - instead, it will be murkier, warmer, and have a slower flow rate.

Step-by-step explanation:

Typically, aquatic net primary productivity increases as one moves from headwater streams to higher-order rivers.

However, as you move downstream, you would not expect the water to be clear and low in nutrients like it is in headwater streams. Instead, the water will become murkier due to increased sedimentation and suspended phytoplankton.

The water will also be warmer and have a slower flow rate.