Research on Streamside Issues Through the Wood Compatibility Initiative

Abstract

Through the Wood Compatibility Initiative (WCI), the Center for Streamside Studies at the University of Washington has undertaken a series of research efforts addressing production and protection of forest, fish, wildlife, and other aquatic and riparian resources. These efforts consist of microhabitat and habitat-unit-scale mechanistic studies, trans-scale studies exploring hierarchical linkages of structure and function, as well as the development of a landscape classification model linking physical and biological processes across scales and integrating terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem components. Wood Compatibility Initiative funded projects have involved collaboration with scientists at the Pacific Northwest Research Station, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Weyerhaeuser Company, the City of Seattle, the Lummi Nation, and others. The Center for Streamside Studies has addressed the role of large woody debris in streams, including stream input processes and hydraulic and biologic functions. Other studies have investigated freshwater habitat condition and its relation to salmonid productivity and the role of hyporheic flux in redd selection by salmonids. In collaboration with others, historic riparian stand condition, specifically canopy cover related to stream shading, has been investigated as well as the role of geomorphic variability in affecting stream temperatures. This paper summarizes the results from WCI studies initiated over the past four years.