Dynamic patch mosaics and channel movement in an unconfined river valley of the Olympic Mountains
Latterell JJ, Bechtold JS, O'Keefe TC, Van Pelt R, Naiman RJ. 2006. Dynamic patch mosaics and channel movement in an unconfined river valley of the Olympic Mountains. Freshwater Biology. 2006:1-22
From the Summary: "1. River valley resemble dynamic mosaics, composed of patches which are natural transient features of the land surface produced by the joint action of a river and successional processes over years to centuries.... 2. We determined the structure, composition, dynamics and origin of seven patch types at the reach scale in the Queets River valley in the temperate coastl forests.... 3. Lateral channel movements strongly shape patch distribution, structure and dynamics.... 4. Each patch type exhibited characteristic vegetation, soil and accumulations of large wood.... 5. Patch half-life ... ranged from 21 to 401 years among forested patch types.... 6. In the Queets River, the structure, composition, and dynamics of the patchy riparian forest depends on the interplay between channel movements and biophysical feedbacks between large wood, living vegetation and geomorphic processes."
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Latterell, Joshua; Bechtold, J.; O'Keefe, Thomas; Van Pelt, Robert; Naiman, Robert
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- channel migration, Floodplain, Large Woody Debris, Plant Studies, Queets River Watershed, Riparian