Stream temperature responses to forest harvesting with different riparian buffer prescriptions in northern California, USA

JAMES BUTTLE REVIEW: Quantifying the influence of forestry and forest disturbance on stream temperature: Methodologies and challenges

“…A major concern with paired‐catchment analyses is the stability of the pre‐harvest calibration model, for example, due to the ongoing effects of forest stand development over time in both the control and treatment catchments, or due to hydroclimatic differences between the pre‐ and post‐harvest periods (Miralha et al, 2024). Where more than one control catchment is included in the study, stability of the pre‐harvest model can be explored using control–control comparisons.…”

“…Another constraint on BACI studies is that they require the ability to monitor the streams for sufficient lengths of time both before and after treatment to generate robust pre‐harvest relationships and to sample a range of hydroclimatic conditions in the post‐harvest period. However, operational harvest schedules are subject to changes due to financial or other constraints, which can result in shorter‐than‐intended pre‐harvest periods or changes in the locations and nature of harvesting treatments (e.g., Miralha et al, 2024). Another limitation of BACI studies is that, while they can provide robust estimates of treatment effects for the treatment streams used in the study, those responses may not apply to a broader population of streams (Miralha et al, 2024).…”

“…However, operational harvest schedules are subject to changes due to financial or other constraints, which can result in shorter‐than‐intended pre‐harvest periods or changes in the locations and nature of harvesting treatments (e.g., Miralha et al, 2024). Another limitation of BACI studies is that, while they can provide robust estimates of treatment effects for the treatment streams used in the study, those responses may not apply to a broader population of streams (Miralha et al, 2024).…”

“…Indeed, even the interpretation of BACI studies can be complicated by interannual hydroclimatic variability. For example, Miralha et al (2024) found a significant effect of forestry in only the first of two post‐harvest years in a multi‐catchment BACI study, and suggested that hydroclimatic conditions in the second post‐harvest year overwhelmed the effects of forest harvesting.…”

“…Decades of research in a range of forest ecosystems have demonstrated that reductions in riparian shade by logging, vegetation management or natural disturbance result in summertime warming by increasing the amount of solar radiation reaching the stream (Bladon et al, 2018;Brown, 1969;Isaak et al, 2010;Leach et al, 2022;Leach & Moore, 2010;Lynch et al, 1984;Raulerson et al, 2020;Rex et al, 2012;Rishel et al, 1982;Rowe & Pearce, 1994;Rowe & Taylor, 1994;Stott & Marks, 2000). The magnitude of post-harvest warming depends not only on the amount of shade reduction, but also factors such as catchment area, channel morphology and substrate, weather conditions, and the quantity and source components of stream discharge (Beyene & Leibowitz, 2024;Coats & Jackson, 2020;Gomi et al, 2006;Janisch et al, 2012;Miralha et al, 2024;Moore et al, 2023;Oanh et al, 2021). Post-harvest stream warming has historically been of concern in relation to the potential degradation of thermally suitable habitat for cool and coldwater aquatic species such as salmonids (e.g., Cunningham et al, 2023) and some amphibians (e.g., Jackson et al, 2001).…”