220-Ecological Impacts in the Flood Plain.

Abstract

The interaction of subsurface water with surface water is important for maintaining the ecosystem. The hyporheic zone, the transition region between stream flow and subsurface water, represents an important interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. When subsurface water combines with stream water in this zone, the characteristics of each are blended and new gradients are established, especially for contaminants. The combination of waters affects the ecology of surface water by sustaining stream flow during periods of low flow, moderates water level fluctuations of groundwater— connected lakes, and maintains wetlands which serve as habitats for a myriad wildlife. With growing demand for sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, a better understanding of all components of the ecosystem, such as the linkage between groundwater and surface water, becomes imperative. The objective of this paper therefore is to review fundamental concepts of the ecohydrology of the interaction of groundwater with surface water.