I am curious as to whether there is any literature on how in-stream coarse woody debris levels may change in relation changes in species composition. In particular I am working in a system where trees are frequently "caught" in an invasive woody shrub.
It is easy to measure dead wood on the ground, or standing (snag), but what about actually caught in other live material?
Are you intend to measure each individual CWD? How about measuring the size (diameter at both ends and length) and estimate the density (using penetrometer or decay class)
I would suggest you contact Dr. Andy Dolloff or Craig Roghair, at Virginia Tech, USA. They continue large woody debris surveys in eastern USA primarily, and have several publications that are probably online. You may find what you want to know, or options to consider in their various documents. I think I may have one of the publications pertaining to the Chattooga River if you cannot find information. I used to have their standard procedures in a document, but insure if I still have it. Some of their procedures follow Montgomery and Buffington stream survey techniques. If I find the publication(s), I will add in follow up.
Many other aquatic and fishery scientists, and some hydrologists have been involved with CWD and LWD survey approaches. The recruitment potential of wood has typically been separated from actual in stream wood. Here is the Chattooga example from CATT team.
Are you looking at the biomass or the light passing through the suspended material? You could develop an index based on the light penetration levels from a densiometer calibrate this against material captured onto a dropsheet and its mass determined.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Bioecology
- Systems Ecology
- Landscape Ecology