Relationship between Large Woody Debris Characteristics and Pool Formation in Small Coastal British Columbia Streams

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 928-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan S. Rosenfeld ◽  
Leonardo Huato

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 682-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt D. Fausch ◽  
Thomas G. Northcote

Sections of a small coastal British Columbia stream that had previously been cleaned of large woody debris (LWD) were compared with sections where most debris was left and with others where debris had been relatively undisturbed for at least 40 yr. Three sections where debris had been removed had simple habitat that was less sinuous, wider, and shallower and had less pool volume and overhead cover than four sections with more complex habitat where debris was retained. Habitat in four relatively undisturbed sections was generally similar to complex sections. Most pools in all sections were scour or plunge pools formed by LWD or large roots oriented perpendicular to the flow or angled downstream. Standing crop (kolograms per hectare) and individual weights of age 1 + and older coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and cutthroat trout (O. clarki) were significantly greater (P < 0.02) in complex than in simple sections. Biomass of age 1 + and older salmonids was closely related to section pool volume (r2 = 0.92, P = 0.0006). Projections based on this model and average habitat conditions suggest that during 1990 a total of 8.0 kg of salmonid biomass, 5 times the current standing crop, was forgone in the 332-m simple reach due to prior debris removal.



2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1213-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P Kreutzweiser ◽  
Kevin P Good ◽  
Trent M Sutton

The inputs, characteristics, and function of large woody debris (LWD) were assessed in 16 mid-order (average channel widths of 3–7 m), moderate-gradient (approx. 1%–5% channel slopes) streams in mixedwood forests of the Boreal Shield in Ontario. Three of the streams were adjacent to clearcuts, with the remainder in areas that have not been logged or recently (>70 years) burned. The average frequency (19.9 pieces·100 m–1) and size (mean diameter 16.7 cm) of LWD in these streams were less than reported in most other regions and forest types. Averaged across sites, input sources were undetermined for about 50% of the LWD owing to fluvial displacement from the points of origin. Natural mortality (24%) and windthrow (15%) were primary input sources of the remaining LWD. Windthrow was highly variable and mostly associated with nearby clear-cut logging. At the three sites near clearcuts, windthrow contributed 34%–62% of LWD in streams. In study reaches where active beaver colonies were observed, beaver-felled trees accounted for up to 47% of LWD inputs. The average frequency of debris dams (2.4 dams·100 m–1) was less than those reported from studies in other areas and was positively correlated with an index of bottom substrate size (r = 0.72). Less than 15% of the pools in these streams were formed or influenced by LWD. Most wood pieces appeared to be ineffective as pool-forming agents because of their relatively small size and instability. In these Boreal Shield forests, it appears that most riparian trees do not live long enough or grow to sufficient size to contribute functional LWD and influence stream morphology or pool formation.





2006 ◽  
Vol 229 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 50-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyong Chen ◽  
Xiaohua Wei ◽  
Rob Scherer ◽  
Chad Luider ◽  
Wayne Darlington


2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 2231-2246 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.T. Johnston ◽  
S.A. Bird ◽  
D.L. Hogan ◽  
E.A. MacIsaac

The geomorphic process domain concept predicts consistent associations between stream channel geomorphology and large woody debris (LWD) input mechanisms. We used synoptic surveys at 51 stream reaches adjacent to undisturbed mature or old-growth forests in central and southern British Columbia to test associations between stream geomorphology and the input processes, source distances, physical characteristics, and geomorphic functions of LWD within the bankfull channel. Standing dead tree fall was the dominant input mechanism, but bank erosion was important in low- and medium-gradient channels >3 m bankfull width. Wind-induced inputs (stem breakage and windthrow) were relatively more important in small or steep channels. LWD piece size and source distance varied among delivery processes. LWD originated at ground distances up to 65 m from the streams, but 90% of the LWD at a site originated within 18 m of the channel at 90% of the sites. Statistical models incorporating tree size and stream characteristics (bankfull width, channel type) explained 40%–64% of the variation among sites in the distances from which LWD entered streams. In general, LWD source distances increased with increasing tree height and decreased with increasing stream width; however, the strengths of these relationships were modified by channel type.



1991 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 2499-2508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Bilby ◽  
James W. Ward

Amount of large woody debris (LWD) surveyed in 70 stream reaches flowing through old-growth, clear-cut, and second-growth forests decreased with increasing stream size for all stand types but was greatest at old-growth sites. Average piece volume was larger at old-growth sites than at other stand types in streams >10 m wide, but no differences were seen in smaller streams. Scour pools accounted for 90% of the wood-associated pools at second-growth and clear-cut sites but only 50% at old-growth sites, which contained more pools than other stand types, particularly for larger streams. Pool size was similar for all stand types in smaller streams, but averaged 10 m2 in streams >10 m wide at old-growth sites and 4 m2 for other stand types. Pool size was similar for all stand types in smaller streams. Sediment and fine organic matter retained by woody debris decreased with increasing stream size for ail stand types, but old-growth sites contained greater amounts of both materials than other stand types. The frequency of pool formation, the type of pool formed, and sediment accumulation were influenced by the amount of fine debris associated with LWD. Changes in LWD amount, characteristics, and function occurred very rapidly following removal of streamside vegetation.



2012 ◽  
Vol 88 (02) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Alexandra L. Ryland ◽  
Sean C. Thomas

Monitoring is a fundamental aspect of restoration, as it determines when the restoration objectives have been met. As restoration objectives are not universal, monitoring needs to be included in the development and design of each restoration project. We assessed the effectiveness and efficiency of a forest stand dynamic monitoring plan, developed for use with riparian restoration occurring on Lyell Island, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. The restoration objective is to accelerate the development of late-successional forests for the benefit of riparian wildlife species and recruitment of in-stream large woody debris, which specifically provides essential habitat for a variety of fish species. In this study large woody debris (LWD) is referred to as downed wood greater than 7.5 cm in diameter. Prior to the start of riparian restoration, two watersheds were quantified for their stand structure and composition using the forest stand dynamic monitoring plan. An error analysis of these data was used to assess the sampling efficiency of the monitoring plan. The design of the monitoring plan was found to be efficient at monitoring the riparian forest stand dynamics (with seven or eight plots per site sufficient to evaluate stand basal area and stem density to within 10%), but not woody debris volumes (for which deviations >10% were found even with 14 plots per site). Incorporation of additional line transects or adoption of more efficient sampling methods for woody debris (such as diameter or length relascope methods) is suggested as a means of enhancing large woody debris sampling efficiency.



1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 1478-1485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. McMahon ◽  
L. Blair Holtby

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) smolts formed aggregations in pools with large woody debris during their migration downstream and into the Carnation Creek estuary, British Columbia. Smolts utilized the estuary throughout the smolt run, with periods of high outmigration coinciding with spring tides which brought warmer, more saline water into the estuary. Smolt abundance in the stream and estuary was positively related to debris volume, and 82% of the 1260 smolts observed during underwater counts occurred within 1 m of debris. Debris volume and smolt density were significantly lower in clearcut than in buffered stream sections. Our observations support the need to retain and manage large woody debris for smolt habitat in streams and estuaries.



Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document