Wood debris recruitment from differing riparian landforms in a gulf coastal plain stream: the role of floods

Abstract

Wood recruitment dynamics in Coastal Plain streams are complex. Recruitment rates are dependent on stream valley morphology, forest composition, and flow diversity. Infrequent high flows are critical in the maintenance of the instream debris pool. Following extensive flooding in 1994, surveys of downed trees were made across replicated riparian landforms (floodplains, terraces, and sand ridges) in a Gulf Coastal Plain 5th order stream. Annually, the fate of these trees was determined and newly recruited trees were noted. Generally, tree recruitment was greatest in years with substantial floods (1994 and 1998). For each riparian landform type, tree mortality was correlated with the maximum daily flow during the period preceding annual debris surveys.