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Rehabilitating agricultural streams in Australia with wood : a review
journal contribution
posted on 2008-01-01, 00:00 authored by Rebecca LesterRebecca Lester, A BoultonWorldwide, the ecological condition of streams and rivers has been impaired by agricultural practices such as broadscale modification of catchments, high nutrient and sediment inputs, loss of riparian vegetation, and altered hydrology. Typical responses include channel incision, excessive sedimentation, declining water quality, and loss of in-stream habitat complexity and biodiversity. We review these impacts, focusing on the potential benefits and limitations of wood reintroduction as a transitional rehabilitation technique in these agricultural landscapes using Australian examples. In streams, wood plays key roles in shaping velocity and sedimentation profiles, forming pools, and strengthening banks. In the simplified channels typical of many agricultural streams, wood provides habitat for fauna, substrate for biofilms, and refuge from predators and flow extremes, and enhances in-stream diversity of fish and macroinvertebrates.
Most previous restoration studies involving wood reintroduction have been in forested landscapes, but some results might be extrapolated to agricultural streams. In these studies, wood enhanced diversity of fish and macroinvertebrates, increased storage of organic material and sediment, and improved bed and bank stability. Failure to meet restoration objectives appeared most likely where channel incision was severe and in highly degraded environments. Methods for wood reintroduction have logistical advantages over many other restoration techniques, being relatively low cost and low maintenance. Wood reintroduction is a viable transitional restoration technique for agricultural landscapes likely to rapidly improve stream condition if sources of colonists are viable and water quality is suitable.
Most previous restoration studies involving wood reintroduction have been in forested landscapes, but some results might be extrapolated to agricultural streams. In these studies, wood enhanced diversity of fish and macroinvertebrates, increased storage of organic material and sediment, and improved bed and bank stability. Failure to meet restoration objectives appeared most likely where channel incision was severe and in highly degraded environments. Methods for wood reintroduction have logistical advantages over many other restoration techniques, being relatively low cost and low maintenance. Wood reintroduction is a viable transitional restoration technique for agricultural landscapes likely to rapidly improve stream condition if sources of colonists are viable and water quality is suitable.
History
Journal
Environmental managementVolume
42Issue
2Pagination
310 - 326Publisher
Springer-Verlag New YorkLocation
New York, N.Y.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0364-152XeISSN
1432-1009Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2008, Springer Science+Business MediaUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
large woody debriswood reintroductionagricultural impactsstream restorationecological rehabilitationcoarse woody debrisScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineEnvironmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences & EcologyRIPARIAN BUFFER ZONESSAND-BED STREAMCHANNEL MORPHOLOGYNEW-ZEALANDLAND-USEMACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIESINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIESINSTREAM RESTORATIONRIVER RESTORATIONORGANIC-CARBON
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