Stream ecosystems carry out significant functions such as water purification, especially denitrification.However, rapid landuse change since industrialization has altered ecological functions of streams. In this study, we aimed to investigate denitrification rates and their determinant factors in streams with different landuse patterns, and how denitrification rates vary with microtopology within streams. Ten fifth streams of each landuse were selected,and each stream was divided into four microtopological sites within streams – riparian zone, subsoil, and both head and tail parts of sand bars. In situ denitrification rates and physicochemical properties of soil were examined.
Denitrification rates of agricultural, urban, and forest streams were 289.62 ± 70.69, 157.01 ± 37.06, 31.38 ± 18.65 mg N2O-N m-2 d-1 respectively. There were no significant differences in denitrification rates depending on microtopology, but the rates in riparian zone were the highest, and the rates in the head parts of sandbars were lower than those of tail parts. The determinant factors for denitrification rates included water temperature, silt and clay contents of soil, inorganic nitrogen, and organic carbon, and these factors all showed positive correlations with denitrification rates. Through this study, we find that landuse pattern in watershed region affects denitrification rates that is one of considerable functions of streams. In addition, estimation of denitrification rates taking into account for microtopology would contribute to developing ecological management and restoration strategy of streams.