ABSTRACT
T HE main point to be gained from the chapter opening is that the physical pro-cesses involved in the formation of a stream are important to the ecology of the stream. Stream channel and flow characteristics directly influence the functioning of the stream's ecosystem and the biota found therein. Thus, in this chapter, we look at the pathways of water flow contributing to stream flow; namely, we discuss precipitation inputs as they contribute to flow. Stream flow dis-
16 STREAM GENESIS AND STRUCTURE
charge, transport of material, characteristics of stream channels, stream profile, sinuosity, the floodplain, pool-riffle sequences, and depositional features-all of which directly or indirectly impact the ecology of the stream-are also discussed.
