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

1-1-2010

Abstract

Woody debris has long been recognized as important habitat for invertebrates andfishes, with many researchers reporting that large woody debris, snags, and other longterm habitats improve habitat heterogeneity and enhance productivity of streams andrivers. However, the literature is less informative about smaller woody debris, which,although ephemeral as individual pieces, may constitute a persistent habitat by volumeand surface area with continual inputs from riparian zones. In the Gulf of Mexico coastalplain, 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. Inthis paper, we review work on the influence of decompositional state on invertebratecolonization of smaller woody debris, and on the effects of riparian clearing on benthicand xylophilous invertebrate taxa. Additionally, we present new data on the differentinvertebrate communities inhabiting benthic mineral substrates and woody debris fromfield collections in three Gulf of Mexico coastal plain watersheds. Our data suggest thatsmaller woody debris is readily used by invertebrates and that decomposition need not bevery advanced to be used by the entire community. Further, riparian clearing does notappear to greatly influence benthic-dwelling invertebrates but does appear to reduce theabundance of xylophilous taxa. Lastly, our field surveys suggest that approximately 1/3of invertebrate taxa are smaller woody debris specialists and another 1/3 may use bothwoody debris and benthic habitats. This is consistently reflected in indices of communitycomposition, with xylophilous taxa constituting the largest proportion of invertebratebiomass 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 thenatural dynamics of woody debris inputs.

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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