HR: 1330h
AN: NB33K-03    [Abstracts]
TI: Can We Restore Periphyton Assemblages Using Coarse Woody Debris Additions in Disturbed Streams?
AU: * Miller, S A
EM: milles1@auburn.edu
AF: Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
AU: Feminella, J W
EM: jfeminel@acesag.auburn.edu
AF: Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
AB: We examined response of periphyton and diatom assemblages to experimental debris dam additions (restoration) within disturbed coastal plains streams at Fort Benning, GA. Prior to restoration, we quantified periphyton and physicochemical variables for 1 y from sand (episammic) habitats in 10 streams that varied in degree of disturbance from land management and military training. In November 2003, we added large woody debris dams (10/stream, 120-m reach) to 4 disturbed streams (=restored streams) and left 4 disturbed streams unrestored (=controls), and quantified periphyton and diatom variables for 1 y. Increases in periphyton biomass (as chlorophyll a) in restored streams were higher than in unrestored streams during the first 3 to 6 mo after restoration (p=0.05), although biomass differences were not significant by 9 to 12 mo. Unlike periphyton biomass, diatom assemblages did not immediately respond to restoration; however the proportion of cells in the genus Eunotia, which composes >90% of episammic assemblages in low-disturbance streams, significantly increased in 2 of the 4 restored streams after 9 mo. These data suggest that debris dam additions may benefit periphyton in disturbed coastal plains streams, possibly by increasing bed stability, although the timing, duration, and consistency of such positive effects may be limited.
DE: 1871 Surface water quality
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly