A conceptual model for the longitudinal distribution of wood in mountain streams

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
In this study, the AA. evaluate longitudinal patterns of wood distribution in forested headwater streams of the Colorado Front Range, and potential channel-, valley- and watershed-scale controls on these patterns. Based on studies in other environments, they hypothesize that wood load decreases downstream. Based on qualitative observations of wood in streams of the study area over many years, they hypothesize that wood is non-randomly distributed at channel lengths of tens to hundreds of meters as a result of the presence of wood jams. They also hypothesize that the proportion of wood clustered into jams increases with drainage area as a result of downstream increases in relative capacity of a stream to transport wood introduced from the adjacent riparian zone and valley bottom. Results support the first and second hypotheses, but are inconclusive with respect to the third hypothesis. The AA. use these results to propose a conceptual model illustrating downstream trends in wood within streams of the Colorado Front Range.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2009, vol. 34, n°. 3, p. 329-344, nombre de pages : 16, Références bibliographiques : 1,5 p.

Date :
2009

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley