Distribution of Large Wood in River Delta Tidal Marshes: Implications for Habitat Restoration

Large wood influences river geomorphology and ecology, so similar function is presumed in estuarine tidal channels. Consequently, restoration ecologists and engineers often recommend large wood supplementation for tidal marsh restoration, but there is no guidance on how much large wood is appropriat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Estuaries and coasts 2023, Vol.46 (1), p.109-127
Main Author: Hood, W. Gregory
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brackishwater environment
Channels
Coastal Sciences
Deltas
Distribution
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecological effects
Ecologists
Ecology
Engineers
Environment
Environmental Management
Environmental restoration
Estuaries
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Geographical information systems
Geomorphology
Marshes
Restoration
Rivers
Statistical analysis
Statistical methods
Streams
Tidal inlets
Tidal marshes
Water and Health
Wetlands
Wood
Woody plants
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Summary:Large wood influences river geomorphology and ecology, so similar function is presumed in estuarine tidal channels. Consequently, restoration ecologists and engineers often recommend large wood supplementation for tidal marsh restoration, but there is no guidance on how much large wood is appropriate or where it should be located. GIS analysis of high-resolution aerial photos was used to map the distribution of individual tree logs greater than 2-m length in reference tidal marshes of eight Puget Sound river deltas. Statistical analysis showed that distributary networks, channel size, marsh size, fetch, topography, and woody vegetation affect large wood distribution on the marsh surface and in tidal channels. Large wood densities were 28 to 50 times lower in Puget Sound tidal channels than in Western Washington streams. These results provide an initial foundation for further studies on the ecological and geomorphological significance of large wood in tidal marshes, and some initial guidance to engineers and planners for large wood placement in marsh restoration projects.
ISSN:1559-2723
1559-2731
DOI:10.1007/s12237-022-01122-5