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Silvicultural management within streamside management zones of intermittent streams: effects on decomposition, productivity, nutrient cycling, and channel vegetation

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The purpose of this watershed study on three intermittent streams was to evaluate responses of riparian processes to three streamside management zone (SMZ) treatments; no harvest, clearcut, and partial hawest (50% basal area removal). Riparian response variables measured included litter$all, leaf litter decomposition, understory vegetation, soil temperature and water chemistry. However, due to drought conditions, insuflcient water chemistry data were'collected to szfpport quantitative assessment of treatment effects. Comparisons of mass loss rates (k) indicated that decomposition on the control treatment was the most rapid. Understory vegetation surveys showed statistically greater mass of forbs and grasses within the clearcut SMZ. Results sz~ggest that no harvest or a partial harvest within SMZs along intermittent streams are preferable because these treatments maintain carbon inputs to streams.

Keywords

Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, streamside management zone.

Citation

Governo, R.; Lockaby, B. G.; Rummer,Robert B.; Colson, C. 2004. Silvicultural management within streamside management zones of intermittent streams: effects on decomposition, productivity, nutrient cycling, and channel vegetation. South. J. Appl. For. 28(4):211-224
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/21212