The utility of stream habitat and biota for identifying potential conflicting forest land uses: Montane riparian areas
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Authors: J. N. Rinne
Date: 1990
Journal: Forest Ecology and Management
Volume: 33/34
Number:
Pages: 363-383
Summary of Methods: This paper addresses the utility and feasibility of using one physical feature of stream habitat and two aquatic biological variables to identify the effects of forest land uses on stream habitat and biota. The evaluation is based on an examination of the literature available and the results of Rinne's recent research on several southwestern montane streams. Physical and biological entities have been used as barometers of ecosystem quality. Aquatic macroinvertebrates, because of their immediate and differential responses to changes in stream and watershed condition, and fishes as the apex of aquatic food webs, may serve as indicators of disturbance to aquatic systems. Physical features, such as substrate fines, affect these two biotic entities and complement data on these more variable biological components. The utility of such features in detecting and defining changes into montane riparian-stream areas, caused by land -use practices, is greatly dependent upon proper study design and adequate consideration of variability and interactions of variables in time and space. The more variables that are used in studies of riparian-stream systems, the greater will be the validity and viability of recommendations for management of these areas. Accordingly, riparian-stream areas on National Forest and other lands in the West and Southwest must be studied as ecological communities, on an ecosystem or watershed basis, and over an extended period of time to develop effective, conservatory long-term management strategies for this valuable wetland forest resource.
Article Summary / Main Points: Aquatic macroinvertebrates due to their immediate and differential responses to changes in stream and watershed condition and fish, as the apex of aquatic food webs, may serve as indicators of disturbance to aquatic systems. Physical features, such as substrate fines, affect these two biotic entities and complement data on these more variable biological components. The utility of physical and biological features in detecting and defining changes to montane riparian-stream areas is greatly dependent upon proper study design and adequate consideration of variability and interactions of variables in time and space. The more variables that are used in studies of riparian-stream systems, the greater will be the validity and viability of recommendations for management of these areas. Riparian areas in the West and Southwest must be studied as ecological communities, on an ecosystem or watershed basis, and over an extended period of time to develop effective long-term management strategies.
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Synthesis
Keywords: stream habitat, biota, montane riparian areas, land-management practices, sediment, aquatic macroinvertebrates, fish, indicator species, baseline data
Annotation: This scientific synthesis paper uses both literature and empirical data to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of current riparian area research and how they may be overcome. Both the literature reviewed and research results presented would suggest that physical and biological features may serve as indicators of the condition of streams and their watersheds.
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