Measuring the influence of timber harvest on stream invertebrates in western Washington
Fore LS. 2000. Measuring the influence of timber harvest on stream invertebrates in western Washington. Quileute Department of Natural Resources, LaPush, WA
Biological monitoring methods developed for the Pacific Northwest were tested for their ability to measure changes in the biological condition of streams associated with timber harvest. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from 15 stream sites in both 1997 and 1998 from a total of 18 different streams. All sites were below 1500 ft. and had a gradient less than about 4%. Sites were located in the Sol Duc, Dickey, Calawah and Hoh River watersheds. Streams were selected to represent a range of harvest intensity from watersheds with no history of timber harvest to privately owned watersheds with frequent and intense harvest regimes. ... Biological moinitoring of stream invertebrates is an effective way to measure the influence of timber harvest on the environmental condition of streams. The strong association between species decline and harvest intensity means that this type of monitoring can be used to compare forest practices and determine which are best for protecting water resources.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Fore, Leska
- Date of Issue
- 2000-05
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Hoh River Watershed, Monitoring, Sol Duc River Watershed, Timber Harvest, Water Quality