Transcript Mar 25 - University of Toledo

Stream Networks and Riparian Zones
Landscape Ecology
(EEES 4760/6760)
Basic terminology
Stream Network
· Structure
· Function
· Management
Reading:
Gregory, S.V., F.J. Swanson, W.A. McKee, and K.W. Cummins. 1991. An ecosystem perspective of
riparian zones. Bioscience 41(8): 540-551.
Away from the river, there forms a clear successional gradient
resulted from different disturbances (i.e., flooding).
Naiman 2005
Naiman 2005
Naiman 2005
Naiman 2005
Naiman 2005
Naiman 2005
Jiquan Chen1, Kimberley D. Brosofske2, Robert Naiman5,
and Jerry F. Franklin6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Environmental Science, University of Toledo, OH, [email protected]
Dept. of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
SFWP, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Forestry Science Lab, USDA Forest Service, Grand Rapids, MN
School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
•
Riparian zones are known for their rich biota,
unique biophysical conditions and dynamics,
and highly complex vegetation structure.
•
Numerous authors have reported high species
diversity related to riparian buffers (Naiman &
Bilby 1998) .
•
One study (Hibbs & Bower 2001) of plant
distribution associated with managed riparian
buffers concluded that “edge effects appeared
unfounded in this region for the plant
community”.
OBJECTIVES
 To examine plant species distribution across
small streams (1st – 3rd order streams) in two
managed landscapes: Western Washington and
Northern Wisconsin;
 To quantify the contribution of small streams to
the plant species pool of a managed landscape in
Northern Wisconsin;
 To discuss the underlying mechanisms for species
distribution within riparian zones;
HYPOTHESIS
The unique biophysical environment associated with
small streams will result in a different community
composition within riparian zones; however, the
difference may not be significant immediately after
disturbance (e.g., harvesting) because of the time
lag necessary for demographic processes
(reproduction, mortality, immigration, emigration)
to result in compositional change.
Five streams in three locations in W. Washington State were
selected for pre- and post-harvest analysis of microclimate
and vegetation.
forest
(Fint)
Weather Station
B2+60
clearcut
(Cint)
B2+30
buffer edge
(B1)
B2+15
buffer edge
(B2)
stream
(S0)
Washington
Site Locations
One of the five streams
used in W. Washington.
Overstory is dominated
by Douglas-fir, western
hemlock, red alder,
western red cedar, and
grand fir.
Study Site:
Chequamegon National Forest
Northern Subsection
Near Ashland, WI
A Northern Hardwood Landscape
Upper Great Lakes Region
180 m
Data Source
Data Analysis
1) Explore changes in percent cover from stream to the
upland by species (frequency and abundance);
2) Identify statistical and functional groups; and examine
changes from the stream to upland (PC-Ord);
3) Compare species list with the species list of the
landscape;
Results
Changes in mean
(STD) woody debris
and bare ground
cover (%) from small
streams to the
upland in W.
Washington.
Results
Changes in mean
(STD) grass and
shrub cover (%) from
small streams to the
upland in W.
Washington.
Results
Changes in mean
(STD) cover (%) of
total vegetation and
mosses from small
streams to the
upland in W.
Washington.
Results
Changes in mean
(STD) cover (%) of
selected plant
species from small
streams to the
upland in W.
Washington.
Conclusion: W. Washington
Plant communities of managed riparian zones
in Western Washington exhibited clear
differences from upland forest.
These differences, however, varied greatly
among species and other measurements of
community composition and structure.
Specific conclusions thus can only be drawn
when the measurement is specified.
Northern hardwood landscape and the riparian corridors in
N. Wisconsin.
Results:
•A total of 92 plant species were recorded
along 3 transects in N. Wisconsin, compared
with 98 species along 7 transects in W.
Washington.
• In W. Washington, 34 species were identified
as riparian species, but >50 species appeared
to be riparian species in N. Wisconsin.
Changes in species cover (%) from streams to upland in
a northern hardwood landscape, WI
Cover (%)
40
30
20
10
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
Distance from Stream (m)
120
Results
Changes in mean (STD)
cover (%) of selected
plant species from
small streams to the
upland in N.
Wisconsin.
Results:
More riparian species than upland species
were detected in this unmanaged ecosystem.
Riparian
Upland
Abies balsamea
Aster ciliolatus
Athyrium felix-femina
Bromus altissimus
Calamagrosis canadensis
Calamagrosis stricta
Caltha palustris
Carex bromides
Carex disperma
Amelanchier sp.
Aralia nudicaulis
Question:
•How much do riparian zones contribute to
the cumulative richness and abundance of
plant species at the landscape-level?
Current Vegetation and Locations of Sampling Plots
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Water
Wetland
Non-vegetated/Recent clearcut
Herbs & Shrubs/Old clearcut
Young Hardwood/Thicket
Mature Hardwood
Jack Pine
Red Pine
Mixed Conifer-Hardwood
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• 9 Interior Types
• 1 Edge Zone
• 2 Road Zones
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•10% of Plots Within Each Patch Type
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0
5
10 Kilometers
•168- 50m2 Plots Sampled
Left Out For Model Validation
Summary
Total number of species:
333
Common to all patches:
98 (29.4%)
Unique species:
0
Restricted to the eight patches:
32
No. of exotic species:
14
Conclusion: N. Wisconsin
• Riparian communities in N. Wisconsin
clearly play different roles in the
landscape from those in W. Washington.
• Not only did these undisturbed riparian
zones host more unique species, our
preliminary analysis indicated that they
also contributed significantly to the
landscape level species pool.
Wed. (3/25): Riparia
• Flood Pulse Concept (FPC)
• Case studies of
Whooping Crane in NE
Water spill over in SE USA
Salmon and N in Alaska
• Summary of Riparia functions (Naiman et
al. 2005 – Chapter 6)
• Dam management and removal