Sites with more woodlands, tree plantations, and mixed (rotational) agricultural practices such as GC3, GC4, and GC6 had higher k and ergosterol levels. The stream, golf course interaction is evident in the PLS plot, but

the pattern does not clearly capture why benthic groups responded differently in direction to golf courses ( Fig. 6 and Fig. 7A). GC1, GC3, and GC4 formed a group of streams that had selleck inhibitor higher k and ergosterol content and lower Rleaf, N2 flux, and Chlrock after the stream passing through the golf course facility ( Fig. 7A). The opposite pattern was evident for GC5 and GC6 ( Fig. 7A). GC2 was similar up and downstream of its golf course. A significant correlation (r = 0.94, p = 0.019) was found connecting the difference between up and downstream benthic group PLS1 and the percent anthropogenic land use at the downstream sampling point (excluding GC2; Fig. 7B). This relationship suggested that the benthic response to golf course facilities was dependent on the anthropogenic land use in the riparian zone. The goal of this study

was to determine how golf course selleck products facilities affected stream function in the context of the land use and cover in the watershed. Based on previous observations (Williams et al., 2010, Wilson and Xenopoulos, 2008 and Wilson and Xenopoulos, 2009), we put forward that the desired stream condition in Southern Ontario streams is low nutrient levels, humic-like DOM, and slow organic matter decomposition. This study found that differences in stream functional attributes up and downstream of golf course facilities

were subtle to absent for water quality and DOM characteristics and complex for benthic parameters. After flowing through an 18-hole golf course facility, the water column of streams showed small declines in DOC and HIX and small increases in TDP and the relative protein content of the DOM (C7), suggesting that golf course facilities negatively impacted stream function. Multivariate patterns, however, were not evident. Overall, these water column patterns were weak, which could stem from local golf course practices and the timing and design of this study. Unlike the water column grab samples, the benthic parameter group response to golf course facilities was Dynein distinct, but varied by stream and the overall human land use in the riparian zone. At sites with around 50% anthropogenic land use, streams had lower leaf break down rates and ergosterol content but higher leaf respiration and N2 flux rates downstream of the golf course facilities. At sites with greater than 60% anthropogenic land use, excluding GC2 which did not respond to golf courses, streams had higher leaf break down rates and ergosterol content but lower leaf respiration and N2 flux rates downstream of the golf course facilities.