Temporal and spatial changes in dissolved organic carbon concentration and fluorescence intensity of fulvic acid like materials in mountainous headwater catchments

► We measure the DOC concentration and fluorescence intensity of FAM in mountainous headwater catchments. ► The relationship between DOC and FAM are positively correlated. ► The relationships are different between soil extracts, stream flow, and near-surface flow. ► Biomat flow provides a unique transport process of DOC and FAM into streams. ► The rainwater flow paths can be the main cause of the DOC-FAM relationships.