Relations between forest disturbance, in-stream wood and aquatic habitat over river networks

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SummaryIn-stream wood or large woody debris (LWD) in forested streams is one of most important contributions of habitat and cover for fish populations. LWD has been intensively studied at the reach scale. However, little is known about variability of LWD and its ecological functions at multiple spatial scales.  Swanson (2003) suggested that a landscape perspective on LWD ecology over river networks and through time is one of the most needed future research directions. It is widely accepted that forest sustainability must be defined in temporal and spatial scales.  Studying natural disturbance is useful for understanding ecological processes and patterns at temporal scales. This is particularly important for the Canadian forests because of frequent wildfire.   Funded by a NSERC discovery grant, my first five-year (2002-2006) research project mainly focused on LWD long-term dynamics (temporal scales) in harvested and wildfire-disturbed forest watersheds in the BC interior. This new proposed research (2007-2011) will target LWD ecology over river networks at multiple spatial scales. My specific objectives include: (1) quantification of relations between LWD loadings and their ecological functions at various stream orders; (2) comparison of the above relations between wildfire and harvesting disturbances; and (3) determination of key mechanisms controlling LWD amount and distribution over river networks.  My long-term research goals are: (1) to integrate information of LWD loadings and functions at both spatial and temporal scales to fully understand LWD ecology; and (2) to link our results with sustainable forest and watershed management in the Canadian sub-boreal watersheds.