The importance of small woody debris in stream restoration: Invertebrate community diversity in lowland, subtropical streams in the gulf of Mexico coastal plain

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2011

Abstract

Woody debris has long been recognized as important habitat for invertebrates and fishes, with many researchers reporting that large woody debris, snags, and other long term habitats improve habitat heterogeneity and enhance productivity of streams and rivers. However, the literature is less informative about smaller woody debris, which, although ephemeral as individual pieces, may constitute a persistent habitat by volume and surface area with continual inputs from riparian zones. In the Gulf of Mexico coastal plain, second growth forests do not contribute numerous large trees into streams. Rather, the vast majority of woody debris inputs are branches, twigs, and small diameter trees. In this paper, we review work on the influence of decompositional state on invertebrate colonization of smaller woody debris, and on the effects of riparian clearing on benthic and xylophilous invertebrate taxa. Additionally, we present new data on the different invertebrate communities inhabiting benthic mineral substrates and woody debris from field collections in three Gulf of Mexico coastal plain watersheds. Our data suggest that smaller woody debris is readily used by invertebrates and that decomposition need not be very advanced to be used by the entire community. Further, riparian clearing does not appear to greatly influence benthic-dwelling invertebrates but does appear to reduce the abundance of xylophilous taxa. Lastly, our field surveys suggest that approximately 1/3 of invertebrate taxa are smaller woody debris specialists and another 1/3 may use both woody debris and benthic habitats. This is consistently reflected in indices of community composition, with xylophilous taxa constituting the largest proportion of invertebrate biomass in these streams. Together, these studies emphasize the critical role of small woody debris in maintaining invertebrate community diversity in coastal plain systems, as well as the importance of restoring and enhancing riparian forests to maintain the natural dynamics of woody debris inputs. © 2010 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Stream Restoration: Halting Disturbances, Assisted Recovery and Managed Recovery

First Page

1

Last Page

40

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