Movement and characteristics of stream-borne coarse woody debris in adjacent burned and undisturbed watersheds in Wyoming

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1933-1938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Young
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Mountain Streams ◽  
Bank Stability ◽  
Stream Surface ◽  
Riparian Trees ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
Debris Transport ◽  
The Mean

Following fire, changes in streamflow and bank stability in burned watersheds can mobilize coarse woody debris. In 1990 and 1991, I measured characteristics of coarse woody debris and standing riparian trees and snags in Jones Creek, a watershed burned in 1988, and in Crow Creek, an unburned watershed. The mean diameter of riparian trees along Jones Creek was less than that of trees along Crow Creek, but the coarse woody debris in Jones Creek was greater in mean diameter. Tagged debris in Jones Creek was three times as likely to move, and moved over four times as far as such debris in Crow Creek. In Jones Creek, the probability of movement was higher for tagged pieces that were in contact with the stream surface. Larger pieces tended to be more stable in both streams. It appears that increased flows and decreased bank stability following fire increased the transport of coarse woody debris in the burned watershed. Overall, debris transport in Rocky Mountain streams may be of greater significance than previously recognized.

Basidiomycete decay fungi within stems of Nothofagus windfalls in a Southern Hemisphere beech forest

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1897-1910 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Hood ◽  
P. N. Beets ◽  
J. F. Gardner ◽  
M. O. Kimberley ◽  
M. W.P. Power ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Decay Fungi ◽  
Mean Diameter

Fungi were isolated to determine the predominant decomposer species active in the coarse woody debris in a beech forest in the central North Island of New Zealand. Basidiomycetes were obtained in 55% of 4569 isolation attempts from discs cut from six trees each of Nothofagus fusca (Hook. F.) Oerst. and Nothofagus menziesii (Hook. F.) Oerst. uprooted during a storm 24 years earlier. Percentage yields varied significantly among trees but not between tree species. However, for N. fusca, basidiomycetes were obtained less frequently from stems of greater mean diameter. In total, 96% of basidiomycete isolates were composed of 18 species, the most abundant being Armillaria novae-zelandiae (G. Stev.) Herink, mainly present in the outer 12 cm, and Ganoderma cf. applanatum sensu Wakef. and Cyclomyces tabacinus (Mont.) Pat., which penetrated more deeply. These fungi were distributed along the stems as somatically incompatible colonies reaching lengths of 11, 2, and 3 m for each species, respectively; those of G. cf. applanatum were separated by brown pseudosclerotial plates. Fruiting of these species was significantly associated with isolation of cultures and, for G. cf. applanatum and C. tabacinus, provided a reliable guide to stem colonization. Basidiomycete diversity in the Nothofagus stems was greater than in two podocarp species in an earlier study. Data from this investigation are being used to assess how decay fungi, together with other factors, influence rates of decomposition of indigenous coarse woody debris.

Characteristics and function of large woody debris in subalpine Rocky Mountain streams in northern Colorado

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 1789-1802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann D. Richmond ◽  
Kurt D. Fauseh
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Large Woody Debris ◽  
Mountain Streams ◽  
Coastal Forests ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
And Function ◽  
Rocky Mountain Streams

Large woody debris has been well studied in coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest, but little is known of its role in Rocky Mountain streams. Large woody debris was measured in 11 undisturbed streams draining subalpine old-growth forests in north central Colorado to assess abundance, characteristics, and function. Although large woody debris in Colorado had smaller diameter, length, and volume than in the Pacific Northwest, its abundance and function were similar. The majority of pools (76%) were plunge and dammed pools formed by large woody debris, most of which spanned the channels perpendicular to stream flow. Smaller streams had a greater proportion of such perpendicular pool-forming pieces than larger streams. Four disturbed streams had significantly less and smaller large woody debris than undisturbed streams. Flows in larger undisturbed streams were capable of moving large woody debris, so pieces were more often located at the stream margins, oriented diagonally, or distributed in clumps than in smaller streams. Individual pools were larger and deeper in larger streams, but their size was not related to the size of large woody debris pieces forming them. Therefore, the function of large woody debris in forming fish habitat in small Rocky Mountain streams is strongly influenced by the stream's location within the watershed.

scholarly journals Habitat Preference of Auriscalpium vulgare Gray Inhabiting Slash and Burn Affected Khasi Pine Cones of India

Our Nature ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Das ◽  
A. Chettri ◽  
H. Kayang
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
Land Use Pattern ◽  
Slash And Burn ◽  
Pine Cone ◽  
Predominant Form ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pine Cones ◽  
Khasi Pine

Slash and burn shifting cultivation or jhum is the predominant form of land use pattern in the hilly terain of northeast India. Impact of jhum practice on Auriscalpium vulgare growing on the female Khasi pine cone was studied. The period of mature cone falling proceeds after the slash and burn activity, hence only 1:3 escapes the burning practice. During the assessment, burned and unburned cones were assigned to coarse woody debris (CWD) and classified into three girth classes: small (≤10 cm), intermediate (>10 to ≤13 cm) and large (>13 cm). The mean number of basidiocarps in burned cones was significantly higher than unburned ones (p<0.00001). A significant linear relationship between girth size of burned cones and number of basidiocarps was observed (r = 0.736; p<0.01). The study reveals that maximum number of fungi thrives on the burned cones (anthropogenically disturbed) of pine and girth size affects the number of basidiocarp. Key words: burned and unburned pine cones; coarse woody debris (CWD); Khasi pine; slash and burnDOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2551Our Nature (2009) 7:32-38

The Effect and Extent of Railroad Tie Drives in Streams of Southeastern Wyoming

1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Young ◽  
David Haire ◽  
Michael A. Bozek
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Riparian Zone ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Channel Structure ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Stream Channel ◽  
Riparian Trees ◽  
Large Trees

Abstract Millions of railroad ties were floated (driven) down streams in southeastern Wyoming between 1868 and 1940. We identified 61 tie-driven streams in or near the Medicine Bow National Forest. We hypothesized that tie drives, and the stream clearing associated with driving, altered channel morphology and riparian vegetation. When comparing stream reaches of similar width and gradient, we found that tie-driven stream reaches contained less coarse woody debris and had significantly lower densities of large riparian trees than did unaffected reaches. Tie-driven reaches had lower channel complexity, a greater proportion of riffles, and fewer plunge and dammed pools than did unaffected reaches. We found significant relations among characteristics of the riparian trees, coarse woody debris, and stream channel structure. Recovery of the affected reaches may be contingent on the long-term increase in large trees in the riparian zone. West. J. Appl. For. 9(4):125-130.

Large woody debris in bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) spawning streams of logged and wilderness watersheds in northwest Montana

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 915-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Richard Hauer ◽  
Geoffrey C Poole ◽  
John T Gangemi ◽  
Colden V Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Woody Debris ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Large Woody Debris ◽  
Mountain Streams ◽  
Bull Trout ◽  
Stream Channel ◽  
Salvelinus Confluentus ◽  
Stream Bank ◽  
Northwestern Montana ◽  
Bankfull Width

We measured large woody debris (LWD) in 20 known bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) spawning stream reaches from logged and wilderness watersheds in northwestern Montana. Mean bankfull width of stream reaches was 14.1 m ranging from 3.9 to 36.7 m. Streams were large enough to move LWD and form aggregates. We determined the characteristics of individual pieces of LWD that were interactive with the stream channel. Large, short pieces of LWD attached to the stream bank were the most likely to be positioned perpendicular to stream flow, while large, long pieces either tended to be parallel to the flow or, when attached, were most apt to extend across the channel thalweg. Observations indicated that the majority of pools were formed as scour pools by either very large LWD pieces that were perpendicular to the stream or multipiece LWD aggregates. Among reaches in wilderness watersheds, ratios of large to small LWD, attached to unattached LWD, and with and without rootwads were relatively consistent. However, among reaches with logging in the watershed, these ratios varied substantially. These results suggest that logging can alter the complex balance of delivery, storage, and transport of LWD in northern Rocky Mountain streams, and therefore, the likely substantive change in stream habitats.

scholarly journals The Effects of Fire on Coarse Woody Debris in Rocky Mountain Coniferous Forests

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 37-38
Author(s):  
Dennis Knight ◽  
Daniel Tinker
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Micro Organisms

Primary productivity, the accumulation of nutrients, and other important ecosystem processes are largely dependent on the mineral soil organic matter that has developed during hundreds or thousands of years. In forest ecosystems, the decomposition of coarse woody debris, woody roots, twigs, leaves and micro-organisms is a primary source of this organic matter. Large quantities of coarse woody debris are typically produced following natural disturbances such as fires, pest/pathogen outbreaks, and windstorms, which make a significant contribution to the formation of soil organic matter (SOM). In contrast, timber harvesting often removes most of the coarse woody debris (CWD), which could result in a decrease in the quantity and a change in the quality of mineral soil organic matter.

Macroinvertebrates on coarse woody debris in the littoral zone of a boreal lake

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia N. Glaz ◽  
Christian Nozais ◽  
Dominique Arseneault
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Community ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽  
Boreal Lake ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
Regular Practice ◽  
Main Factor

Logging activity was a regular practice in the boreal forest of Quebec during the 19th century and may have had an impact on the temporal dynamics of aquatic coarse woody debris (CWD) and associated organisms. The dynamics of white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) CWD inputs from the riparian environment in a boreal lake in Eastern Quebec, Canada, over the past 350 years were reconstructed and differences in the macroinvertebate communities according to CWD age, season of sampling (spring, summer and autumn), depth and site were investigated. It was hypothesised that CWD macroinvertebrate community structure would change with CWD age, season and depth, but not among sites. No significant correlation was found between CWD age and macroinvertebrate densities and taxa number. The macroinvertebrate community was highly variable in space and time. Season was the main factor influencing taxa composition and the relative densities of individuals. The mean density was more than twofold greater in autumn than in spring and summer (1046, 1049 and 2335 individuals m–2 in spring, summer and autumn respectively). Density and taxa number decreased with depth, but site did not appear to influence the community. As CWD inputs increased during the log-driving period, impacts on macroinvertebrate communities were likely to be important and should be documented across the boreal zone.

The contribution of coarse woody debris to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles in three Rocky Mountain coniferous forests

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1592-1603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raija Laiho ◽  
Cindy E Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Wood Decay ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Aboveground Litter

The contribution of coarse woody debris to C, N, and P cycles was assessed in forests of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench Voss), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) - Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) in southwestern Alberta. Mass loss and changes in C, N, and P concentrations in decomposing log segments were measured for 14 years. Litter input was measured during 10 years for coarse woody debris, 1 year for ground vegetation, and 5 years for other aboveground litter types. Release of C, N and P from decomposing litter were simulated for a period of 40 years. After 14 years, log segments of pine, spruce, and fir had lost on average 71, 38, and 40%, respectively, of their dry mass. The N content of the pine logs increased, spruce changed little, and fir lost N. Phosphorus accumulated in all logs. The greatest imports of N and P occurred at the pine sites and fir sites, respectively, where these nutrients were the least available, indicating that wood decay organisms may compete with vegetation for limiting nutrients in these forests. Coarse woody debris comprised 3-24% of aboveground litter and contributed less than 5% of the N and P released. Coarse woody debris does not appear to make a significant contribution to N and P cycling in these forests.

Age characteristics of coarse woody debris (Pinus strobus) in a lake littoral zone

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 496-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard P Guyette ◽  
William G Cole
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Pinus Strobus ◽  
Late Nineteenth Century ◽  
Annual Rings ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Eastern White Pine ◽  
Minimum Diameter ◽  
The Mean

Littoral coarse woody debris (CWD) is a persistent class of aquatic habitat that accumulates over many centuries and provides habitat for diverse floral and faunal communities. We used dendrochronological methods to analyze residence times and age-related characteristics of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) CWD in the littoral zone of Swan Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. The mean calendar date of all the annual rings in CWD samples was 1551. Annual rings dated from calendar year 1893 to 982. The mean time from carbon assimilation in a live tree to carbon loss from littoral woody debris was 443 years. Outside ring dates of the woody debris were significantly correlated with the bole's maximum and minimum diameter ratio, mass, specific gravity, length, and submergence. Negative exponential functions described the temporal structure of the CWD mass and abundance. Accelerated inputs of woody debris resulted from late nineteenth century logging and a disturbance circa 1500. No mature eastern white pine have fallen into the lake over the last 100 years.

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