 |
|
|
  |
|
|
|
Large wood in streams
is important because it affects stream function. This wood also  provides
habitat for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Although the
role of large wood as a structural feature of coastal streams
is known, the processes that control recruitment, retention,
and redistribution of woody debris at broad spatial and temporal
scales remain poorly described.
|
 |
|
|
| The
goal of this project is to develop a basin-level
understanding of large woody debris, which includes: |
|
|
•
|
processes
and conditions that regulate input |
|
| |
• |
movement
and removal of large woody debris |
|
| |
• |
functional
role of woody debris in the aquatic food web |
|
| Basin-scale
research will examine specific processes at a local
scale and how the importance of these processes varies
through a basin. |
|
|
| There are five
objectives to be accomplished using both experimental
and retrospective approaches. |
|
|
•
|
Objective
1: In the near-stream zone, characterize the distribution
and abundance of large woody debris and the various processes
that regulate its production and input. |
|
| |
• |
Objective
2: Assess the influences of terrestrial vertebrates,
especially beaver, on recruitment of woody debris in aquatic
systems, tree stocking, direct input of debris into streams,
and vascular plant diversity. |
|
| |
• |
Objective
3: Investigate the relative importance among large
woody debris recruitment, redistribution and removal processes
within an individual basin. |
|
| |
• |
Objective
4: Compare the functional role of instream large woody
debris among stream channels with differing reach morphologies. |
|
| |
• |
Objective
5: Evaluate potential contributions of different wood
species to the aquatic food web. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
