Woody debris in north Iberian streams: influence of geomorphology, vegetation, and management.
The effect of stream geomorphology, maturity, and management of riparian forests on abundance, role, and mobility of wood was evaluated in 20 contrasting reaches in the Agüera stream catchment (northern Iberian Peninsula). During 1 year the volume of woody debris exceeding 1 cm in diameter was measured in all reaches. All large woody debris (phi > 5 cm) pieces were tagged, their positions mapped, and their subsequent changes noted. Volume of woody debris was in general low and ranged from 40 to 22,000 cm3 m-2; the abundance of debris dams ranged from 0 to 5.5 per 100 m of channel. Wood was especially rare and unstable in downstream reaches, or under harvested forests (both natural or plantations). Results stress that woody debris in north Iberian streams has been severely reduced by forestry and log removal. Because of the important influence of woody debris on structure and function of stream systems, this reduction has likely impacted stream communities. Therefore, efforts to restore north Iberian streams should include in-channel and riparian management practices that promote greater abundance and stability of large woody debris whenever possible.
Diez
J R
JR
Lab. Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of the Basque Country, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
Elosegi
A
A
Pozo
J
J
D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D032462:Cycadopsida; D004777:Environment; D016468:Forestry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013030:Spain; D014197:Trees; D018505:Waste Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014866:Waste Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D014866:Waste Products