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BLM Density Management and Riparian Buffer Study: Establishment Report and Study Plan

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BLM Density Management and Riparian Buffer Study: Establishment Report and Study Plan BLM Density Management and Riparian Buffer Study: Establishment Report and Study Plan Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5087 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover: Photo of Southern Torrent Salamander by William P. Leonard. BLM Density Management and Riparian Buffer Study: Establishment Report and Study Plan By John Cissel, Paul Anderson, Deanna Olson, Klaus Puettmann, Shanti Berryman, Samuel Chan, and Charley Thompson In cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, the Pacific Northwest Research Station, Oregon State University, and the Cooperative Forest Ecosystem Research Program Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5087 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Dirk A. Kempthorne, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006 For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 For more information about the USGS and its products: Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. Suggested citation: Cissel, J.H., Anderson, P.D., Olson, Deanna, Puettmann, Klaus, Berryman, Shanti, Chan, Samuel, and Thompson, Charley, 2006, BLM Density management and riparian buffer study: Establishment report and study plan: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5087, 144 p. iii Acknowledgments Many individuals have contributed time, energy, and support to the Density Management and Riparian Buffer Study. We thank John Tappeiner for his scientific leadership and vision as the initiator of the study. Charley Thompson and Larry Larsen provided the leadership and support needed from the BLM to get the study implemented. A Core Team of BLM specialists gave freely of their time and ideas to help develop the early study plan. A site coordinator leads each site and relies on resource specialists, planners, operations specialists, and GIS specialists to make the study happen on the ground. Mark Koski has contributed many weeks of his time to coordinate development of GIS databases. Managers in the BLM have seen the study as a priority worth funding and supporting. We benefitted from our interactions with scientists who participated in collaborative studies and field tours. Field crews and research assistants spent countless hours climbing over steep slopes collecting data in weather both ideal and miserable. Still others have cleaned up the data and created large, complex databases. To each of these folks, and to all who have helped move the Density Management Study forward, we heartily thank you. Specific individuals that have contributed to the study include: Collaborating scientists - Bruce McCune, Andy Moldenke, Pat Muir, Lorelei Norvell, and Rob Progar Data management - Valerie Banner, Maureen Duane, Loretta Ellenburg, Melissa Hamar, Joe Hanus, Robin Hibbs, Dylan Keon, George Lienkaemper, Kathleen Maas-Hebner, Kevin Nelson, Kate Norman, Sherry Pittam, Cindy Rugger, Cheryll Solomon, and Rebecca Thompason Field crew leadership - Laurie Abernathy, Valerie Banner, Loretta Ellenburg, Ron Exeter, Bob Fahey, Jay Flora, Emmalie Goodwin, David Larson, Dan Mikowski, Estella Morgan, Stafford Owen, and Mark Yeiter. Graphic support - Kelly Christiansen, Emily Goodwin, Kathryn Ronnenberg, and Kirsten Schumaker Map development - Jeremy Hruska and Jeanne Keyes Planning and implementation - David Harden, Alan James, Rick Kottke, Roger Monthey, Phil Redlinger, Rick Schultz, Steve Weber, and Steve Yates Site coordinators - Floyd Freeman, Craig Kintop, Peter O’Toole, Sharmila Premdas, Frank Price, and Hugh Snook Statistical analysis - Lisa Ganio, Manuela Huso, David Larson, Cindy Rugger, David Rundio, and George Weaver Steering committee - Jamie Barbour, Julia Dougan, John Hayes, and Nancy Molina Study plan development - John Applegarth, Pete Bisson, Bruce Bury, Linda Conley, Stan Gregory, Bruce Hansen, Dave Hohler, Larry Jones, Larry Larsen, Yuman Lee, Don Major, Brenda McComb, Peter O’Toole, Gordie Reeves, Jim Sedell, and Craig Snider We also thank Steve Acker, John Bailey, Janet Erickson, and Rob Pabst for their helpful review comments, and John Ame and Angel Dawson for their editorial assistance. Lastly, we want to thank all the people we forgot to mention above. iv This page is intentionally blank. v Contents Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………… 2 History …………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Partnerships …………………………………………………………………………… 4 Objectives …………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Science and Management ……………………………………………………………… 4 Desired Future Stand Conditions ………………………………………………………… 4 Study Design ………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Initial Thinning Study …………………………………………………………………… 5 Phase One ………………………………………………………………………… 5 Phase Two ………………………………………………………………………… 5 High Density Treatment Prescription ………………………………………… 7 Moderate Density Treatment Prescription …………………………………… 7 Variable Density Treatment Prescription ……………………………………… 8 Provisions Common to All Treatments ………………………………………… 8 Patch Cuts ……………………………………………………………… 8 Leave Islands …………………………………………………………… 8 Understory Trees, Shrubs, and Herbs …………………………………… 8 Riparian Buffer Study …………………………………………………………………… 8 Rethinning Study ………………………………………………………………………… 11 Understory Trees, Shrubs, and Herbs ……………………………………………… 11 Provisions Common to All Studies ……………………………………………………… 12 Snags ……………………………………………………………………………… 12 Downed Wood ……………………………………………………………………… 12 Species Choice …………………………………………………………………… 13 Treatment Assignment …………………………………………………………………… 13 Study Sites …………………………………………………………………………………… 13 Site Selection Process ………………………………………………………………… 13 Study Locations ………………………………………………………………………… 15 Component Studies …………………………………………………………………………… 15 Vegetation Response - Klaus Puettmann and Shanti Berryman ………………………… 15 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 15 Objectives ………………………………………………………………………… 16 Methods …………………………………………………………………………… 16 Study Sites …………………………………………………………………… 16 Sampling Design ……………………………………………………………… 16 Treatment Plots ………………………………………………………… 17 Thinning Plots …………………………………………………………… 17 Response Variables and Measurements ……………………………………… 18 Treatment Plots ………………………………………………………… 18 Thinning Plots …………………………………………………………… 20 Measurement Schedule ……………………………………………………… 21 vi Contents—Continued Component Studies—Continued Vegetation Response - Klaus Puettmann and Shanti Berryman—Continued Methods—Continued Data Management …………………………………………………………… 21 Analysis ……………………………………………………………………… 21 Overstory ……………………………………………………………………… 22 Understory ……………………………………………………………… 22 Application of Results ………………………………………………………… 22 Scope of Inference ……………………………………………………… 22 Expected Outcomes ……………………………………………………… 23 Aquatic Habitats and Vertebrate Diversity - Deanna H. Olson ………………………… 23 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 23 Objectives ………………………………………………………………………… 24 Methods …………………………………………………………………………… 24 Study Sites …………………………………………………………………… 24 Sampling Design ……………………………………………………………… 25 Response Variables and Measurements ……………………………………… 25 In-Channel Vertebrate Sampling ……………………………………………… 26 Streambank Time-Constrained Searches …………………………………… 27 Upslope Time-Constrained Searches ………………………………………… 27 Handling of Animals …………………………………………………………… 27 Sampling Schedule …………………………………………………………… 27 Data Management …………………………………………………………… 27 Analytical Approach ………………………………………………………… 28 Application of Results ……………………………………………………………… 29 Scope of Inference …………………………………………………………… 29 Expected Outcomes …………………………………………………………… 30 Related Studies …………………………………………………………………… 30 Microclimates and Microhabitats of Riparian and Adjacent Upland Areas - Samuel Chan and Paul Anderson …………………………………………………… 31 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 31 Objectives ………………………………………………………………………… 32 Methods …………………………………………………………………………… 32 Study Sites …………………………………………………………………… 32 Sampling Design ……………………………………………………………… 32 Riparian-Upland Transects ……………………………………………… 33 Streamside Transects …………………………………………………… 33 Nested Sample Plots …………………………………………………… 33 vii Contents—Continued Component Studies—Continued Microclimates and Microhabitats of Riparian and Adjacent Upland Areas - Samuel Chan and Paul Anderson—Continued Methods—Continued Response Variables and Measurements ……………………………………… 33 Overstory Stand Structure ……………………………………………… 36 Canopy Cover and Light Conditions ……………………………………… 36 Microclimate …………………………………………………………… 37 Microsite ………………………………………………………………… 37 Understory Vegetation …………………………………………………… 37 Forest Floor ……………………………………………………………… 38 Sampling Schedule …………………………………………………………… 38 Periodicity ……………………………………………………………… 38 Seasonality ……………………………………………………………… 38 Data Management …………………………………………………………… 39 Analytical Approach ………………………………………………………… 39 Application of Results ……………………………………………………………… 40 Scope of Inference …………………………………………………………… 40 Expected Outcomes …………………………………………………………… 41 Collaborative Studies ………………………………………………………………………… 41 Lichens - Peter Neitlich, Bruce McCune ………………………………………………… 41 Leave Islands - Stephanie Wessell, Deanna Olson, and Richard Schmitz ……………… 42 Fungi - Lorelei Norvell,
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