Biogeomorphic influences on river corridor resilience to wildfire disturbances in a mountain stream of the Southern Rockies, USA

Wohl, Ellen; Marshall, Anna; Scamardo, Julianne; White, Daniel C.; Morrison, Ryan R.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153321

Cited by 36 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Large wood is recruited to channels primarily from bank erosion and individual tree fall and channel-spanning logjams are abundant in the channels (Jackson and Wohl, 2015). Both watersheds have experienced recent disturbances by fire, flooding, and mass movements that significantly altered the watersheds and river corridors (Sibold et al, 2006;Rathburn et al, 2017;Sutfin and Wohl, 2019;Wohl et al, 2022). Most recently, the 2020 Cameron Peak fire burned substantial portions of the LBC watershed.…”

Section: Colorado Field Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…. (Schumm, 1968;Smith, 1973;Smith and Smith, 1980;Rust, 1981;Nanson et al, 1986;Schumann, 1989;Knighton and Nanson, 1993;Schumm et al, 1996;Makaske, 1998Makaske, , 2001Burge, 2006;Carling et al, 2014), as well as the characteristics of anastomosing rivers across diverse settings (e.g., Schumm, 1968;Baker, 1978;Smith and Smith, 1980;Nanson et al, 1986;Schumann, 1989;Harwood and Brown, 1993;Wohl et al, 2022). While these studies illustrate the basic scenarios in which bifurcation can occur, understanding of some of the mechanisms of bifurcations in anastomosing systems remains limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The continuum of wood-induced channel bifurcations

Marshall

Wohl

2023

Front. Water

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Accumulations of wood in rivers can alter three-dimensional connectivity and facilitate channel bifurcations. Bifurcations divide the flow of water and sediment into secondary channels and are a key component of anastomosing rivers. While past studies illustrate the basic scenarios in which bifurcations can occur in anastomosing rivers, understanding of the mechanisms of bifurcations remains limited. We evaluate wood-induced bifurcations across thirteen anastomosing reaches in nine different streams and rivers in the U.S. Rocky Mountains to address conditions that favor different bifurcation types. We hypothesize that (1) wood-induced bifurcations exist as a continuum of different patterns in anastomosing rivers and (2) the position of a river segment along this continuum correlates with the ratio of erosive force to erosional resistance (F/R). We use field data to quantify F/R and compare varying F/R to bifurcation types across sites. Our results support these hypotheses and suggest that bifurcation types exist as a continuum based on F/R. At higher values of F/R, more channel avulsion is occurring and predominantly lateral bifurcations form. At lower values of F/R, banks are more resistant to erosive forces and wood-induced bifurcations are transitional or longitudinal with limited lateral extent. The relationship between F/R and bifurcation types is not linear, but it is progressive. Given the geomorphic and ecological functions associated with large wood and wood-induced channel bifurcations, it becomes important to understand the conditions under which wood accumulations can facilitate different types of bifurcations and the processes involved in these bifurcations. This understanding can inform river corridor restoration designed to enhance the formation of secondary channels, increase lateral and vertical connectivity, and promote an anastomosing planform.

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Section: Colorado Field Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The continuum of wood-induced channel bifurcations

Marshall

Wohl

2023

Front. Water

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“…This also helps keep water in the soil during periods of prolonged drought, where it is accessible to riparian vegetation (Amlin & Rood, 2003; Dittbrenner et al, 2018; Fairfax & Small, 2018; Puttock et al, 2021; Silverman et al, 2019; Vivian et al, 2014). However, floodplain‐connected riverscapes function as speed bumps to fire spread because the soil, vegetation, and stream channels are wet throughout, and thus do not readily burn (Fairfax & Whittle, 2020; Weirich, 2021; Whipple, 2019; Wohl et al, 2022). Therefore, long stretches of restored floodplains could function as a network of firebreaks, slowing the spread of wildfires and giving humans time to contain runaway wildfires before they reach a dangerous, out‐of‐control state (Fairfax & Whittle, 2020).…”

Section: Benefits Of Floodplain‐connected Rivers In a Warming Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beaver: The North American freshwater climate action plan

Jordan

Fairfax

2022

WIREs Water

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Rivers and streams, when fully connected to their floodplains, are naturally resilient systems that are increasingly part of the conversation on nature-based climate solutions. Reconnecting waterways to their floodplains improves water quality and quantity, supports biodiversity and sensitive species conservation, increases flood, drought and fire resiliency, and bolsters carbon sequestration.But, while the importance of river restoration is clear, beaver-based restoration-for example, strategic coexistence, relocation, and mimicryremains an underutilized strategy despite ample data demonstrating its efficacy. Climate-driven disturbances are actively pushing streams into increasingly degraded states, and the window of opportunity for restoration will not stay open forever. Therefore, now is the perfect time to apply the science of beaver-based low-tech process-based stream restoration to support building climate resilience across the landscape. Not every stream will be a good candidate for beaver-based restoration, but we have the tools to know which ones are. Let us use them.

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“…For example, downstream changes in river morphology due to transmission losses and changing downstream flood regimes (e.g., Goodrich et al., 1997; Murphey et al., 1977) can influence the spatial structure of vegetation communities (Shaw & Cooper, 2008), thus suggesting that geomorphic heterogeneity could similarly be influenced by network position. Additionally, river corridor width can mediate floodplain heterogeneity, with unconfined floodplains tending to be areas of high heterogeneity in perennial rivers (e.g., Bellmore & Baxter, 2014; Stanford & Ward, 1993; Wohl et al., 2018, 2022). Greater heterogeneity in unconfined, perennial reaches is often attributed to increased channel mobility (e.g., Wohl et al., 2018), decreased stream power (e.g., Thompson & Croke, 2013), or biota (e.g., Dunkerley, 2014; Polvi & Wohl, 2012; Scamardo et al., 2022) that thrive with more accommodation space.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drivers of Geomorphic Heterogeneity in Unconfined Non‐Perennial River Corridors

et al. 2023

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River corridors along non‐perennial stream networks provide diverse physical and ecological functions that are thought to be related to the spatial and temporal variability of geomorphic units, also known as geomorphic heterogeneity. While studies on the characteristics and drivers of geomorphic heterogeneity have been developed in perennial streams, similar studies in ephemeral streams are lacking. Given the ubiquity of non‐perennial streams globally, we aim to answer questions regarding the magnitude and drivers of geomorphic heterogeneity in ephemeral river corridors as well as how geomorphic unit assemblages reflect processes related to flood disturbance. Geomorphic units were mapped in 30 unconfined river corridors within six non‐perennial watersheds in Utah and Arizona, USA. Landscape heterogeneity metrics—Shannon's Diversity Index, Shannon's Evenness Index, and patch density—were used to quantify geomorphic heterogeneity within each reach. Additionally, variables that potentially constrain or drive heterogeneity were quantified, including floodplain shape, grain size, large wood abundance, and proxies for flood disturbance. While heterogeneity positively correlated with metrics for morphology and disturbance, statistical models suggest that morphologic context, particularly river corridor width, was a more important predictor for estimating geomorphic heterogeneity. Still, geomorphic units reflected aggradation processes indicative of a range of flood energies, suggesting a strong tie between heterogeneity and disturbance. Results suggest that geomorphic heterogeneity may be resilient to changes in flood disturbance frequency or magnitude, but future studies investigating long‐term temporal heterogeneity are needed.

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Biogeomorphic influences on river corridor resilience to wildfire disturbances in a mountain stream of the Southern Rockies, USA

Cited by 36 publications

References 57 publications

The continuum of wood-induced channel bifurcations

The continuum of wood-induced channel bifurcations

Beaver: The North American freshwater climate action plan

Drivers of Geomorphic Heterogeneity in Unconfined Non‐Perennial River Corridors

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