Riparian and stream enhancement management and research in the Rocky Mountains
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Authors: W. S. Platts, and J. N. Rinne
Date: 1985
Journal: North American Journal of Fisheries Management
Volume: 5
Number: 2A
Pages: 115-125
Summary of Methods: The paper is a scientific synthesis of 71 papers and studies on riparian past stream enhancement management in the Rocky Mountains.
Article Summary / Main Points: Once the cause of the degradation is removed, streams have a remarkable ability to recover. However, not all streams have this capacity, as degradation may be too extreme. Land managers should plan and implement management techniques that will eradicate deleterious artificial factors that affect aquatic habitats and permit natural processes to return these streams to their original conditions whenever possible. Only on degraded streams where the fish habitat will not return to a natural state in a reasonable amount of time, should managers implement enhancement efforts. Stream enhancements often fail because the fish-limiting factors are not treated and because of improper application, placement and design of structures or improvements. To better predict the consequences of various land-management actions on watersheds more research needs to be conducted.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Inland Fisheries
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Synthesis
Keywords: riparian ecosystems, stream enhancement, grazing, stream bank stability, rehabilitation, aquatic biota
Annotation: This is a very good summary of research and enhancement efforts that have been implemented in the Rocky Mountain region. The idea of a reasonable amount of time for stream recovery was never defined. These findings are specifically applicable to the Rocky Mountains but the underlying principles and management suggestions are widely applicable to riparian areas in general. This summary is very one sided, whereas the findings of Fitch and Adams (1998) present another side of the issue.
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