Allochthonous versus Autochthonous Organic Matter Contributions to the Trophic Support of Fish Populations in Clear-Cut and Old-Growth Forested Streams

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 540-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Bilby ◽  
Peter A. Bisson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Fish Production ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Growth Site ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Autochthonous Organic Matter

Annual organic matter inputs and production of stocked coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarki clarki), and shorthead sculpin (Cottus confusus) from spring through early autumn were monitored for 2 yr in two headwater tributaries of the Deschutes River, Washington. One site was bordered by old-growth coniferous forest; the other was an area clear-cut without buffer strips 7 yr before the study. Allochthonous organic matter (terrestrial origin) dominated inputs to the old-growth site and contributed ~300 g∙m−2∙yr−1, while autochthonous organic matter totaled ~100 g∙m−2∙yr−1. In the clear-cut site, autochthonous inputs contributed ~175 g∙m−2∙yr−1, but allochthonous inputs contributed only ~60 g∙m−2∙yr−1 owing to loss of riparian vegetation. Although combined allochthonous and autochthonous inputs were almost twofold greater in the old-growth site, fish production was greater in the clear-cut site. Production of coho salmon and shorthead sculpin during early summer was largely responsible for differences between sites. Fish populations appeared to depend upon food derived from autotrophic pathways during spring and summer in the presence or absence of forest canopy, a hypothesis supported by analysis of coho stomach contents and the similar ratios of autochthonous inputs and fish production between the two streams.

Emigration and Production of Hatchery Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Stocked in Streams Draining an Old-growth and a Clear-cut Watershed

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1397-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Bilby ◽  
Peter A. Bisson
Keyword(s):  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Kisutch ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Trophic Conditions ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Salmon Fry ◽  
Streamflow Change ◽  
Downstream Movement

Downstream movement of coho salmon fry (Oncorhynchus kisutch) stocked in old-growth and clear-cut watersheds occurred in three phases: (1) a brief period of heavy emigration immediately after stocking, (2) relatively little movement throughout most of the summer, and (3) intermittent heavy emigration during early autumn freshets. Coho emigrated whenever a streamflow change ≥ 3%∙d−1 occurred, but movement nearly ceased at flows above a certain level. Temperature changes were less important than discharge in triggering movement. When high densities were stocked, emigrant fry were smaller than residents. When low densities were stocked, emigration after the initial pulse of downstream movement was generally lower and there were no size differences between emigrants and residents. Production in the clear-cut was greater than in the old-growth watershed. Proportionately fewer fish emigrated from the old-growth stream, but when population densities were high, mortality in the old-growth exceeded the clear-cut. Greater emigration from the clear-cut site was possibly related to a scarcity of pools. Although the old-growth stream possessed better rearing habitat, less food may have been available, as suggested by gross photosynthesis rates 50% lower than in the clear-cut stream. Coho production therefore appeared to be most strongly influenced by trophic conditions, while volitional residency was most strongly influenced by habitat quality.

Effects of Logging on Size and Age Composition of Juvenile Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Density of Presmolts in Southeast Alaska Streams

1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1383-1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Thedinga ◽  
Michael L. Murphy ◽  
Jonathan Heifetz ◽  
K V. Koski ◽  
Scott W. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Condition Factor ◽  
Oncorhynchus Kisutch ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Age Composition ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Northern Regions

Short-term effects of logging on age composition and size of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were studied in 18 streams in Southeast Alaska in 1982 and 1983; studies were in old-growth and clear-cut reaches with or without buffer strips. The number of fry (age 0) in summer and winter was proportionately higher in buffered and clear-cut reaches than in old-growth reaches, and all treatments averaged a 20% decrease in fry from summer to winter. Fry length and condition factor were greater for buffered and clear-cut reaches than for old-growth reaches, whereas parr (age 1 and older) size did not differ among treatments. Fry and parr were larger in the southern than in the northern regions and their length and weight were directly related to peripbyton biomass and benthos density. A higher percentage of large [Formula: see text] fry remained in buffered reaches than in clear-cut and old-growth reaches; therefore, the density of fry that were potentially large enough to become smolts the next spring (presmolts) was greater in buffered reaches. The larger fry in buffered and clear-cut reaches compared with old-growth reaches was probably due to earlier fry emergence that resulted from increased water temperature.

Vaired Effects of Clear-cut Logging on Predators and Their Habitat in Small Streams of the Cascade Mountains, Oregon

1981 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Murphy ◽  
James D. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Stream Communities ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Small Streams ◽  
Gradient Effects ◽  
Size Gradient ◽  
Lower Biomass

Assemblages of aquatic vertebrate and insect predators were inventoried in streams in old-growth and logged coniferous forests in the western Cascades of Oregon to assess effects of clear-cut logging on stream communities. Effects associated with logging depended on stream size, gradient, and time after harvest. Clear-cut sections where the stream was still exposed to sunlight (5–17 yr after logging) generally had greater biomass, density, and species richness of predators than old-growth (> 450-yr-old) forested sections. Increases were greatest in small (first-order), high gradient (10–16%) streams, where clear-cut sites had both greater periphyton production and coarser streambed sediment than old-growth sites of similar size and gradient. Effects on predators were mixed in larger, lower gradient streams, where clear-cut sites showed accumulation of sediment and relatively small increases in periphyton production. Second-growth logged sections (12–35 yr after logging), reshaded by deciduous forest canopy, had lower biomass of trout and fewer predator taxa than old-growth sites.Key words: trout, salamanders, insects, logging, sediment, periphyton, watershed management

Dynamics of forest canopy and major tree populations over nine years in a subalpine old-growth coniferous forest, central Japan

Ecoscience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuji Miyadokoro ◽  
Naoyuki Nishimura ◽  
Daisuke Hoshino ◽  
Shin-Ichi Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Central Japan

Nutrients in Salmonid Ecosystems: Sustaining Production and Biodiversity

2003 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Red Alder ◽  
Clear Cut

<em>Abstract.</em>—One result of clear-cut logging in the Pacific Northwest is that many watersheds are now dominated by riparian stands of red alder <em>Alnus rubra </em>(Bong). This species colonizes disturbed areas quickly and can limit the establishment of coniferous forest species. In the Northwest, inputs of nutrients from decaying salmon carcasses have been reduced with declining salmon runs, and nitrogen-rich red alder litter may provide a critical source of nutrients to streams. We hypothesized that high-nutrient inputs from red alder forests would translate into more productive and nutrient-rich stream ecosystems, compared with streams bordered by coniferous species. Leaf litter inputs and chemistry, surface water chemistry, and seston and periphyton nutrient dynamics were measured in six streams in the Hoh River Watershed on the western Olympic Peninsula, Washington, during 1999–2000; three streams were dominated by riparian red alder and three in old-growth coniferous forest. Litter inputs to a red alder-dominated stream were three times greater than litter into an old-growth stream. Although total carbon concentration was similar, nitrogen concentration of red alder litter was approximately three times greater than coniferous litter. Alder litter concentrations of other limiting elements, such as Ca, Cu, Mg, K, P, and Zn, were also significantly higher than conifer needles. Phosphorus and Mg concentrations of suspended particulate matter were significantly higher in streams dominated by red alder. Periphyton biomass was significantly higher in streams dominated by alder and had increased levels of magnesium. These data suggest that red alder forests may provide important subsidies of limiting elements that fuel food webs in Pacific Northwest streams. This might be especially important in stressed systems, such as those that have experienced drastic resource removal through forest harvesting or reduced salmon runs.

Effects of Clear-cut Logging with and without Buffer Strips on juvenile Salmonids in Alaskan Streams

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 1521-1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Murphy ◽  
Jonathan Heifetz ◽  
Scott W. Johnson ◽  
K V. Koski ◽  
John F. Thedinga
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Channel Stability ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Old Growth Forest

To assess short-term effects of logging on juvenile Oncorhynchus kisutch, Salvelinus malma, Salmo gairdneri, and Salmo clarki in southeastern Alaska, we compared fish density and habitat in summer and winter in 18 streams in old-growth forest and in clearcuts with and without buffer strips. Buffered reaches did not consistently differ from old-growth reaches; clear-cut reaches had more periphyton, lower channel stability, and less canopy, pool volume, large woody debris, and undercut banks than old-growth reaches. In summer, if areas had underlying limestone, clear-cut reaches and buffered reaches with open canopy had more periphyton, benthos, and coho salmon fry (age 0) than old-growth reaches. In winter, abundance of parr (age > 0) depended on amount of debris. If debris was left in clear-cut reaches, or added in buffered reaches, coho salmon parr were abundant (10–22/100 m2). If debris had been removed from clear-cut reaches, parr were scarce (< 2/100 m2). Thus, clear-cutting may increase fry abundance in summer in some streams by increasing primary production, but may reduce abundance of parr in winter if debris is removed. Use of buffer strips maintains or increases debris, protects habitat, allows increased primary production, and can increase abundance of fry and parr.

Spatial distribution and succession of epiphytes on Tsuga heterophylla (western hemlock) in an old-growth Douglas-fir forest

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 957-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betsy Lyons ◽  
Nalini M Nadkarni ◽  
Malcolm P North
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Forest Understory ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Crown Structure ◽  
Large Trees

We examined the distribution and abundance of nonvascular epiphytes on western hemlock trees in an old-growth coniferous forest focusing on patterns of epiphyte distribution at different spatial scales, epiphyte abundance amongst trees differing in size, and crown structures associated with epiphyte abundance. Total epiphyte cover was greatest in four canopy microhabitats: the upper canopy strata, crowns of large trees, lower crown branches, and inner branch plots. Epiphyte functional groups were stratified vertically within the stand and horizontally within branches. Alectorioid and "other" lichens were most abundant in the upper canopy and outer branch plots. Cyanolichens and Sphaerophorus globosus (Huds.) Vain. were most abundant in the lower to mid canopy. Although cyanolichens were most abundant in middle branch plots, Sphaerophorus was most abundant in inner branch plots. Bryophytes were most abundant in the lower canopy and inner branch plots. At the stand level, canopy height and tree size were the main influences on epiphytes. Within trees, plots closer to the tree trunk and lower in the crown had the greatest abundance of epiphytes. In this forest, understory trees were colonized first by bryophytes, not by alectorioid and "other" lichens as is common for small trees in young stands.Key words: epiphyte succession, lichens, western hemlock, old growth, forest canopy, crown structure.

The long-term impact of low-intensity surface fires on litter decomposition and enzyme activities in boreal coniferous forests

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kajar Köster ◽  
Frank Berninger ◽  
Jussi Heinonsalo ◽  
Aki Lindén ◽  
Egle Köster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Fire Disturbance ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Long Term Impact

In boreal forest ecosystems fire, fungi and bacteria, and their interactions, have a pronounced effect on soil carbon dynamics. In this study we measured enzymatic activities, litter decomposition rates, carbon stocks and fungal and microbial biomasses in a boreal subarctic coniferous forest on a four age classes of non-stand replacing fire chronosequence (2, 42, 60 and 152 years after the fire). The results show that microbial activity recovered slowly after fire and the decomposition of new litter was affected by the disturbance. The percent mass loss of Scots pine litter increased with time from the last fire. Slow litter decomposition during the first post-fire years accelerates soil organic matter accumulation that is essential for the recovery of soil biological activities. Fire reduced the enzymatic activity across all the enzyme types measured. Carbon-degrading, chitin-degrading and phosphorus-dissolving enzymes showed different responses with the time elapsed since the fire disturbance. Microbial and enzymatic activity took decades before recovering to the levels observed in old forest stands. Our study demonstrates that slower post-fire litter decomposition has a pronounced impact on the recovery of soil organic matter following forest fires in northern boreal coniferous forests.

Vegetation Effects on Soil Properties in the Monteagle Sandy Loam Series: Implications for Land‐use Change

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Neil
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
The Impact

Soil properties are strongly influenced by the composition of the surrounding vegetation. We investigated soil properties of three ecosystems; a coniferous forest, a deciduous forest and an agricultural grassland, to determine the impact of land use change on soil properties. Disturbances such as deforestation followed by cultivation can severely alter soil properties, including losses of soil carbon. We collected nine 40 cm cores from three ecosystem types on the Roebuck Farm, north of Perth Village, Ontario, Canada. Dominant species in each ecosystem included hemlock and white pine in the coniferous forest; sugar maple, birch and beech in the deciduous forest; grasses, legumes and herbs in the grassland. Soil pH varied little between the three ecosystems and over depth. Soils under grassland vegetation had the highest bulk density, especially near the surface. The forest sites showed higher cation exchange capacity and soil moisture than the grassland; these differences largely resulted from higher organic matter levels in the surface forest soils. Vertical distribution of organic matter varied greatly amongst the three ecosystems. In the forest, more of the organic matter was located near the surface, while in the grassland organic matter concentrations varied little with depth. The results suggest that changes in land cover and land use alters litter inputs and nutrient cycling rates, modifying soil physical and chemical properties. Our results further suggest that conversion of forest into agricultural land in this area can lead to a decline in soil carbon storage.

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