Sediment deposition in streams adjacent to upland clearcuts and partially harvested riparian buffers in boreal forest catchments

Kreutzweiser, David P.; Capell, Scott S.; Good, Kevin P.; Holmes, Stephen B.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2009.07.005

Cited by 34 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…We hypothesised that riparian partial harvesting could reduce the effectiveness of riparian buffers at mitigating impacts of upland clearcutting on streams and those impacts could alter litter decomposition rates and associated invertebrate community structure on leaf packs. The effects of experimental logging at the WRRHIP on stream canopy cover, water temperatures and fine sediment deposition were reported previously (Kreutzweiser, Capell & Holmes, 2009a;Kreutzweiser et al, 2009b). Here we present leaf litter breakdown rates and invertebrate assemblages in leaf packs over prelogging and post-logging years among logged and reference streams.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 54%

Effects of upland clearcutting and riparian partial harvesting on leaf pack breakdown and aquatic invertebrates in boreal forest streams

et al. 2010

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1. Leaf litter breakdown and associated invertebrates were compared among three logged and three reference stream reaches 2-3 years before and 3-4 years after logging to assess the environmental impacts of partial-harvest logging as a novel riparian management strategy for boreal forest streams. 2. Partial-harvest logging at three sites resulted in 10, 21 and 28% average basal area removal from riparian buffers adjacent to upland clear-cut areas. 3. Leaf litter breakdown rates were not significantly different between reference and logged sites after logging, but litter breakdown was significantly different from year to year at all sites. 4. Significant post-logging differences in aquatic invertebrate communities were detected at only one of the three logged sites. These differences were largely the result of increases in some leaf-shredding stoneflies and a detritivorous mayfly and a decrease in a chironomid group 2-4 years after logging. This site where significant change was detected had the lowest intensity of riparian logging (average 10% removal) but the highest proportion of the catchment area that was clear cut (85%). 5.The post-logging differences in invertebrate communities at this site were more related to catchment-wide influences (e.g. weather patterns, water yield, possibly upland clearcutting) than to reach-level disturbances from riparian logging. 6.The study indicates that partial-harvest logging in riparian buffers at up to 50% removal should pose little risk of harm to leaf litter breakdown processes or aquatic invertebrate communities beyond any impacts that might arise from upland logging disturbance or catchment-wide influences. However, the results should be viewed in the context of the natural disturbance (summer drought conditions) through the post-logging assessment period of this study. Post-logging summer drought conditions may have masked or confounded logging impacts on streams.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 54%

Effects of upland clearcutting and riparian partial harvesting on leaf pack breakdown and aquatic invertebrates in boreal forest streams

et al. 2010

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“…Tremblay et al (2009) also observed increased suspended sediment concentrations post-harvest, although there was not enough pre-harvest data to statistically confirm this result. Kreutzweiser et al (2009a) measured fine sediments in three harvested boreal catchments that included partially-harvested riparian buffers, and detected significant post-harvest increases in fine sediments at only one of three sites, and only in the first year after harvest. In addition to the sediments from erosion, Steedman and France (2000) found that wind-blown sediment from black sprucejack pine clearcuts, roads, and skid trails, where soil disturbance is large and able to reach the lake, may have led to elevated levels of littoral sedimentation, although it was thought this mechanism would not cause important changes in water quality.…”

Section: Suspended Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts and prognosis of natural resource development on water and wetlands in Canada’s boreal zone

et al. 2015

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Industrial development within Canada's boreal zone has increased in recent decades. Forest management activities, pulp and paper operations, electric power generation, mining, conventional oil and gas extraction, nonconventional oil sand development, and peat mining occur throughout the boreal zone with varying impacts on water resources. We review impacts of these industries on surface water, groundwater, and wetlands recognizing that heterogeneity in the dominance of different hydrologic processes (i.e., precipitation, evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge, and runoff generation) across the boreal zone influences the degree of impacts on water resources. Through the application of best management practices, forest certification programs, and science-based guidelines, timber, pulp and paper, and peat industries have reduced their impacts on water resources, although uncertainties remain about long-term recovery following disturbance. Hydroelectric power developments have moved toward reducing reservoir size and creating more natural flow regimes, although impacts of aging infrastructure and dam decommissioning is largely unknown. Mineral and metal mining industries have improved regulation and practices, but the legacy of abandoned mines across the boreal zone still presents an ongoing risk to water resources. Oil and gas industries, including non-conventional resources such as oil sands, is one of the largest industrial users of water and, while significant progress has been made in reducing water use, more work is needed to ensure the protection of water resources. All industries contribute to atmospheric deposition of pollutants that may eventually be released to downstream waters. Although most industrial sectors strive to improve their environmental performance with regards to water resources, disruptions to natural flow regimes and risks of degraded water quality exist at local to regional scales in the boreal zone. Addressing the emerging challenge of managing the expanding, intensifying, and cumulative effects of industries in conjunction with other stressors, such as climate change and atmospheric pollution, across the landscape will aid in preserving Canada's rich endowment of water resources.Key words: natural resources, development, hydrology, biogeochemistry, cumulative effects, water quality, water quantity. Résumé :Le développement industriel dans la zone boréale canadienne s'est accru au cours des récentes décades. Les activités en aménagement forestier, les opérations dans les pâtes et papiers, la génération de pouvoir électrique, les mines, l'extraction de l'huile et du gaz conventionnel, le développement non conventionnel des sables bitumineux ainsi que le prélèvement de la tourbe s'effectuent sur l'ensemble de la zone boréale avec divers impacts sur les ressources hydriques. Les auteurs passent en revue les impacts de ces industries sur l'eau de surface, l'eau souterraine et les terrains humides, tout en reconnaissant que l'hétérogénéité de la dominance des différents processus ...

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“…Where appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs) are utilised, the effects of logging on the aquatic environment can be greatly reduced (e.g. Kasran, 1988;Wallbrink and Croke, 2002;Kreutzweiser et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporary increases in suspended sediment yields following selective eucalypt forest harvesting

Webb¹,

Dragovich

Jamshidi

2012

Forest Ecology and Management

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Sediment deposition in streams adjacent to upland clearcuts and partially harvested riparian buffers in boreal forest catchments

Cited by 34 publications

References 42 publications

Effects of upland clearcutting and riparian partial harvesting on leaf pack breakdown and aquatic invertebrates in boreal forest streams

Effects of upland clearcutting and riparian partial harvesting on leaf pack breakdown and aquatic invertebrates in boreal forest streams

Impacts and prognosis of natural resource development on water and wetlands in Canada’s boreal zone

Temporary increases in suspended sediment yields following selective eucalypt forest harvesting

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