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1995
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PNW
Project Overview 1995
Response
of Coarse Woody Debris Invertebrates in Managed 50-70 year-old Stands on
the Olympic Peninsula, Thinned to Create Late Successional Habitat
Principal
Investigators:
Dr.
Robert Edmonds, University of Washington, College of Forest
Resources
Dr. Jim Marra, University of Washington, College of Forest Resources
Awarded: $42,600
Project
Description:
An
increasing body of literature has identified coarse woody debris (CWD) as
a critical component of forest ecosystems. Although forest managers are
being directed to maintain or restore CWD through management activities,
little is known about what characteristics of CWD are most essential to
ecosystem function and biodiversity and in what configuration. How CWD
influences tree productivity is also not well understood. The specific
objectives of this study are to:
1.
determine the species of invertebrates in CWD of different tree
species, diameters, and decay classes, and
2.
determine fungal macro species and types of decay (brown rot and
white rot) occurring on CWD of different tree species, diameters and decay
classes in the study stands before and after treatment.
The
results of Berlese arthropod extraction will be used
to compare the effects of various treatments of thinning, clumped versus
dispersed slash, understory plantings, and CWD removal. The results of
this study can be used to identify characteristics of CWD most essential
to the maintenance of CWD and forest floor inhabiting invertebrates. This
information will help contribute to the formulation of more precise
guidelines on CWD management and what stand characteristics should be
retained over the next rotation. In addition, the Habitat Development
Study will afford researchers from different fields that opportunity to
work together on the results of invertebrate sampling and vegetation
analysis. This information will begin to give us better understanding of
important and perhaps critical linkages that exist between different
components of forest ecosystems.
Project
Status:
Project
continued with 1996 funds.
Paper
Presented:
Marra, J.L. and R.L. Edmonds.
Density of coarse woody debris invertebrates in 50 year-old
Douglas-for/western hemlock stands on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington.
Presented at the NW Scientific Association Annual Meeting, Pacific Luthern
University, Tacoma, WA March 20-22, 1996.
Progress Report:
Marra, J.L. and R.L. Edmonds. 1995. Habitat Development Project:
Pre-treatment sampling of coarse woody debris invertebrates in 50
year-old Douglas-fir/ western hemlock stands on the Olympic Peninsula.
Report to the USDA Forest Service.
Progress Report Abstract:
As
part of the Habitat Development Project, a pre-treatment study
investigating the factors affecting the density of invertebrates
inhabiting coarse woody debris was initiated.
Four sites were chosen on the Olympic Peninsula: Hood Canal,
Quilcene, Quinalt, and Sol Duck. Researchers collected samples on June
5-8, 1995. Data from the four
sites will be compared to determine the effects of different
characteristics of CWD, such as diameter, species, decay class, moisture
content, and type of fungal decay, on invertebrate density.
In fall 1995, macrofungal fruiting bodies on the same CWD were used
for invertebrate sampling. Species lists have been compiled. Identification of CWD invertebrates continued through spring
1996.
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