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Effects of Logging on Winter Habitat of Juvenile Salmonids in Alaskan Streams
Author(s) -
Heifetz Jonathan,
Murphy Michael L.,
Koski K. V.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1986)6<52:eolowh>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - streams , logging , juvenile , habitat , environmental science , fishery , ecology , biology , computer network , computer science
Effects of logging on preferred winter habitats of juvenile salmonids in southeastern Alaskan streams were assessed by comparing the area of preferred winter habitat in 54 reaches of 18 streams. Three types of streams were sampled at each of six locations: a stream in a mature, undisturbed forest; a stream in a clear‐cut area but logged on at least one bank; and a stream in a clear‐cut area with strips of forest (buffer strips) along the stream bank. To identify preferred winter habitats, we classified stream areas in 12 of 18 streams into discrete habitat types and compared the density of salmonids within these habitat types with average density of the entire reach. Most wintering coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma), and steelhead (Salmo gairdneri) occupied deep pools with cover (i.e., upturned tree roots, accumulations of logs, and cobble substrate). Riffles, glides, and pools without cover were not used. Seventy‐three percent of all pools were formed by large organic debris. Reaches in clear‐cut areas without buffer strips had significantly less area of pool habitat than old‐growth reaches. Buffer strips protected winter habitat of juvenile salmonids by maintaining pool area and cover within pools. In some cases, blowdown from buffer strips added large organic debris to the stream and increased the cover within pools.