An alder-dominated headwater stream on the Olympic Peninsula

Project Title

Does riparian red alder (Alnus rubra) increase the productivity of headwater stream ecosystems?

Description

This project examines the effects of riparian red alder on community and ecosystem properties of headwater streams of the Olympic Peninsula, WA. Red alder provides nutrient rich litter to relatively oligotrophic (low nutrient) streams; therefore, this species has the potential to promote the productivity of these ecosystems.

Investigators

Peter Kiffney

Collaborators

Carol Volk and Bob Edmonds (University of Washington)

Support

U.S. Forest Service, NOAA Fisheries, and Olympic Natural Resources Center

Project Status

Date collection complete; 2 manuscripts in preparation.

Relevant Publications

Volk, Carol. 2004. Nutrient and biological responses to red alder (Alnus rubra) presence along headwater streams: Olympic Peninsula, Washington. Ph.D. Dissertation. College of Forest Resources, University of Washington.

Volk, C. and P. M. Kiffney. In Review. Nutrient limitation in red alder and conifer forested streams of western Washington. Aquatic Ecology.

Kiffney, P. M., C. J. Volk, T. Beechie, G. Murray, G. Pess, and R. Edmonds. 2004. A are disturbance event alters community and ecosystem properties in West Twin Creek, Olympic National Park, Washington. American Midland Naturalist 152:268-303.

Volk, C.J., P. M. Kiffney, and R. L. Edmonds. 2003. Role of riparian red alder (Alnus rubra) in the nutrient dynamics of coastal streams of the Olympic Peninsula, WA, U.S.A. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 34: 213-228.

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