2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
5/21/2019 | 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM | THE HIERARCHICAL EFFECTS OF RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT ON HEADWATER STREAM ECOSYSTEMS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA | 151 ABC
THE HIERARCHICAL EFFECTS OF RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT ON HEADWATER STREAM ECOSYSTEMS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
Headwater streams are closely connected to the adjacent landscape but receive little protection from forest harvest activities. Riparian buffers are assumed to mitigate the effects of harvesting on stream ecosystem structure and function even though the efficacy of this approach for protecting streams is unclear. We compare the ecological effects of riparian buffers in two ecoregions located in southern British Columbia, Canada. We collected comprehensive data on channel geomorphology, riparian structure, water quality and a suite of ecological responses in 24 headwater streams that represent a gradient of riparian buffer interventions. The response variables capture an ecological hierarchy and include litter decomposition, ecosystem metabolism, algal biomass, and macroinvertebrate community composition. Ecological responses varied among buffer treatments and across the region. Generally, inland streams had faster rates of decomposition, greater accrual of algal biomass, more abundant macroinvertebrate communities, but lower organic matter standing stocks compared to coastal streams. Differences in canopy cover showed little effect on gross primary productivity and all sites were heterotrophic. Additionally, we integrate these findings with insights from the bioassessment literature and provide further context for future considerations of forestry related impairments on downstream freshwater ecosystems.
- Disturbance
- Organic Matter
- Algae
Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Claire Ruffing
(), University of British Columbia, ruffing.cathcart@ubc.ca;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
John Richardson
(), Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, john.richardson@ubc.ca;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -