MicrohabitatsMicrohabitatsMontane Riparian ZoneMontane Riparian Zone

Where in the Where in the world are we?world are we?

Green Meadows Outdoor SchoolGreen Meadows Outdoor School

Fish Camp, CAFish Camp, CA

The Big QuestionThe Big Question

Will climate changeWill climate change

have an effect on the riparianhave an effect on the riparian

microhabitats along Big Creek, inmicrohabitats along Big Creek, in

the Sierra Nevadas?the Sierra Nevadas?

Positive Feedback or Positive Feedback or Negative Feedback ?Negative Feedback ?

One theory suggests that if we meet or exceed One theory suggests that if we meet or exceed rainfall averages, then the riparian zone will rainfall averages, then the riparian zone will maintain its structural characteristics. (negative maintain its structural characteristics. (negative feedback)feedback)

A second theory suggests that if our current A second theory suggests that if our current rainfall decreases, due to climate change, then rainfall decreases, due to climate change, then we will observe a shift in the plant and animal we will observe a shift in the plant and animal life that is present. (positive feedback)life that is present. (positive feedback)

What we observed:What we observed:

Soil characteristicsSoil characteristics

Vegetation types & structureVegetation types & structure

ZonationZonation

WaterWater

Observation ToolsObservation Tools

EyesEyes

JournalsJournals

CamerasCameras

Tape measuresTape measures

ThermometerThermometer

Magnifying lensMagnifying lens

Field GuideField Guide

Measuring StickMeasuring Stick

Soil CharacteristicsSoil CharacteristicsSoil Characteristics (powerpoint)Soil Characteristics (powerpoint)

Soil BiologySoil Biology InfiltrationInfiltration QualityQuality

Bulk DensityBulk Density MoistureMoisture SalinitySalinity

Chemistry Chemistry MagnetismMagnetism StructureStructure

ColorColor Particle DensityParticle Density TemperatureTemperature

ConsistenceConsistence Particle Size DistributionParticle Size Distribution

FertilityFertility pHpH TextureTexture

HorizonsHorizons PorosityPorosity

Soil ColorSoil Color

Soil colorSoil color does not affect the behavior does not affect the behavior and use of soil, however it can indicate and use of soil, however it can indicate the composition of the soil and give the composition of the soil and give clues to the conditions that the soil is clues to the conditions that the soil is subjected to. Soil can exhibit a wide subjected to. Soil can exhibit a wide range of color; range of color; blackblack, white, , white, redsreds, , brownsbrowns, , yellowsyellows and under the right and under the right conditions conditions greengreen..

Soil StructureSoil Structure

Soil structure is the arrangement of soil Soil structure is the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates. These may particles into aggregates. These may have various shapes, sizes and degrees have various shapes, sizes and degrees of development or expression.of development or expression. Soil Soil structure affects aeration, water structure affects aeration, water movement, resistance to erosion and movement, resistance to erosion and plant plant root root growth.growth.

Soil TextureSoil Texture

Soil texture refers to sand, silt and clay Soil texture refers to sand, silt and clay composition. Soil content affects soil composition. Soil content affects soil behavior, including the behavior, including the retention retention capacity for nutrients and water.capacity for nutrients and water.

Soil CharacteristicsSoil CharacteristicsWater to dry sand Water to dry sand

Sandy bank is very Sandy bank is very pourous, and dries out pourous, and dries out very quickly.very quickly.

Soil CharacteristicsSoil CharacteristicsDry sand to elevated bankDry sand to elevated bank

Sandy shore is mixed Sandy shore is mixed with larger aggregate with larger aggregate and rock.and rock.

Average TemperaturesAverage TemperaturesJune 18-26, 2010June 18-26, 2010

Air Temperature: 24 ˚ CAir Temperature: 24 ˚ C

Water Temperature: 14 ˚CWater Temperature: 14 ˚C

Soil Temperature: 30 ˚CSoil Temperature: 30 ˚C

Temperature Ranges:Temperature Ranges:June 18-26, 2010June 18-26, 2010

Air Temperature: 20 ˚C - 26 ˚CAir Temperature: 20 ˚C - 26 ˚C

Water Temperature: 13 ˚C - 16 ˚CWater Temperature: 13 ˚C - 16 ˚C

Soil Temperature: 21 ˚C - 32 ˚CSoil Temperature: 21 ˚C - 32 ˚C

Vegetation Types & StructuresVegetation Types & Structures

WillowWillow Bleeding HeartsBleeding Hearts CatchflyCatchfly

LupineLupine Pussy PawsPussy Paws Indian RhubarbIndian Rhubarb

White FirWhite Fir Macloskeys VioletMacloskeys Violet Snow PlantSnow Plant

Incense CedarIncense Cedar Musk Monkey Musk Monkey ManzanitaManzanita

HazelnutHazelnut Mountain Jewelflower Mountain Jewelflower YarrowYarrow

AlderAlder Miner’s LettuceMiner’s Lettuce

Mountain GooseberryMountain Gooseberry WesternWestern AzaleaAzalea

CatchflyCatchfly

AzaleaAzalea

Snow PlantSnow Plant

Indian RhubarbIndian Rhubarb

Red AlderRed Alder

Red Alder (cont.)Red Alder (cont.)

““Red alder (Alnus rubra), …is the most common Red alder (Alnus rubra), …is the most common hardwood in the Pacific Northwest. It is a relatively hardwood in the Pacific Northwest. It is a relatively short-lived, intolerant pioneer with rapid juvenile short-lived, intolerant pioneer with rapid juvenile growth. The species is favored by disturbance and growth. The species is favored by disturbance and often increases after logging and burning”often increases after logging and burning”

Red alder is an excellent species for re-establishing Red alder is an excellent species for re-establishing woodlands.  woodlands.  The trees are used in forested riparian The trees are used in forested riparian buffers to help reduce stream bank erosionbuffers to help reduce stream bank erosion, protect , protect water quality, and enhance aquatic environments. water quality, and enhance aquatic environments. 

Bleeding HeartBleeding Heart

YarrowYarrow

WillowWillow

Miner’s LettuceMiner’s Lettuce

Zonation:Zonation:Different areas of the riparian Different areas of the riparian

microhabitatmicrohabitat

Zone 2:High Water Area

Zone 1:River Bed Zone 3:

Rocky Bar

Zone 4:Sandy Bank

Zone 5:Vegetated Area

Zonation:Zonation:Lowest zone to highest zoneLowest zone to highest zone

Zone 1: Zone 1: River BankRiver Bank Sub-rounded, coarse grained sandy bottomSub-rounded, coarse grained sandy bottom Well-rounded cobbles and pebbles of various sourcesWell-rounded cobbles and pebbles of various sources Rock Distribution: largest in the middle/fastest part of the Rock Distribution: largest in the middle/fastest part of the

stream, smaller rocks line the edge of the riverstream, smaller rocks line the edge of the river Approximately 60% rocks, 40%sandApproximately 60% rocks, 40%sand Width~ 33ft, Height~ 0ftWidth~ 33ft, Height~ 0ft

Zone 2: Zone 2: High Water AreaHigh Water Area Slower moving water with shallow poolsSlower moving water with shallow pools Fine-grained sandy bottom with some siltFine-grained sandy bottom with some silt Well-rounded cobbles and pebblesWell-rounded cobbles and pebbles Cobbles are imbricated according to stream flowCobbles are imbricated according to stream flow Approximately 50% sand, 40 % rocks, 10% silt or soilApproximately 50% sand, 40 % rocks, 10% silt or soil Width~ 7 feet, Height~ 2 inchesWidth~ 7 feet, Height~ 2 inches

Zonation:Zonation: Lowest zone to highest zoneLowest zone to highest zone

Zone 3: Zone 3: Rocky Bar/Flood ZoneRocky Bar/Flood Zone Coarse grained, rounded to sub-rounded sandy bottom with Coarse grained, rounded to sub-rounded sandy bottom with

some soil depositssome soil deposits Grasses are growing on some of the soil depositsGrasses are growing on some of the soil deposits Well-rounded pebbles and cobles with flat sidesWell-rounded pebbles and cobles with flat sides Diameter of the pebbles and cobbles ranges from 1-10”Diameter of the pebbles and cobbles ranges from 1-10” Rocky bar is approximately 80% rocks, 15% sand, 5% soilRocky bar is approximately 80% rocks, 15% sand, 5% soil Width~ 15 feet, Height~ 10 inchesWidth~ 15 feet, Height~ 10 inches

Zone 4Zone 4: : Sandy Bank/2Sandy Bank/2ndnd Flood Zone Flood Zone Medium grained, sub-rounded to rounded sand with some silt Medium grained, sub-rounded to rounded sand with some silt

and no soil depositsand no soil deposits Well-rounded pebbles ¼-2”Well-rounded pebbles ¼-2” Zone is steeply sloped with a flat topZone is steeply sloped with a flat top 90% sand, 10% rocks90% sand, 10% rocks Width~ 24 feet, Height~ 33 inchesWidth~ 24 feet, Height~ 33 inches

Zonation:Zonation:Lowest zone to highest zoneLowest zone to highest zone

Zone 5: Zone 5: Vegetated Area Vegetated Area (Highest area of bank)(Highest area of bank) Sub-angular, medium grained sandSub-angular, medium grained sand Large soil depositsLarge soil deposits Zone is generally flat with a gentle slope away from Zone is generally flat with a gentle slope away from

the riverthe river Includes various saplings, grasses, flowering plantsIncludes various saplings, grasses, flowering plants Width~ 42 feet, Height~ 3 feet (back sloping)Width~ 42 feet, Height~ 3 feet (back sloping)

Water: upstreamWater: upstream

Water: midstreamWater: midstream

Water: downstreamWater: downstream

WaterWater

Water’s ImpactWater’s Impact

Water’s ImpactWater’s Impact

Water’s ImpactWater’s ImpactLog DamLog Dam

Water’s ImpactWater’s ImpactCobble build up – soil and grassCobble build up – soil and grass

Water’s ImpactWater’s ImpactThe PoolThe Pool

Water’s ImpactWater’s ImpactAspen anchor – Debris fieldAspen anchor – Debris field

Water’s ImpactWater’s ImpactDebris FieldDebris Field

Food WebFood WebMayflies

In spring, water temperature needs to be in the low 40s. Peak hatches occur when the water temps hit 46 degrees and up. In summer, especially evenings, water temp needs to be in the 60 degree minimum.

For fall mayflies, peak hatches will happen when the water temp is over 46 degrees. Egg development is highly dependent upon a narrow temperature range for survival, with maximum hatching rates at 15.8 °C and 1.9 - 5.2 °C for Other predators include birds, spiders, dragonflies, damselflies, trout, and insectivorous biting midges (McCafferty 1998).  Below the surface, more activity takes place. 90% of the food trout eat is taken below the surface. That generally means nymphs.

Food WebFood WebAphids and AntsAphids and Ants

Food WebFood Web

Willow

TroutFlycatcher

Caddisfly

Insects, etc.Insects, etc. AntsAnts

AphidsAphids

Lady BugLady Bug

Common BuckeyeCommon Buckeye

Western Tiger Western Tiger SwallowtailSwallowtail

Honey BeeHoney Bee

Mourning CloakMourning Cloak

•Leech

•Mayfly

•Dragonfly Larvae

•Water Strider

•Caddisfly Larvae

•Green Lacewing

LadybugLadybug

Common BuckeyeCommon Buckeye

Mourning CloakMourning Cloak

HoneybeeHoneybee

Dragonfly (larvae)Dragonfly (larvae)

TeamTeamMembersMembersJanice

Lizzy

Shannon

Will Khoun

Julie

Shawn

Tony