Search

Search Results

• 41. [Article] Ecosystem Recovery in Estuarine Wetlands of the Columbia River Estuary

  In the restoration of tidal wetland ecosystems, potential drivers of plant community development range from biotic controls (e.g. plant competition, seed dispersal) to abiotic controls (e.g. tidal flooding, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecosystem Recovery in Estuarine Wetlands of the Columbia River Estuary Author: Kidd, Sarah Ann Year: 2017 In the restoration of tidal wetland ecosystems, potential drivers of plant community development range from biotic controls (e.g. plant competition, seed dispersal) to abiotic controls (e.g. tidal flooding, salinity levels). How these controls influence the success of tidal wetland restoration are only partly understood, but have important implications for wetland habitat recovery. Specifically, the extent to which the existing native and non-native seed banks in tidally reconnected wetlands interact with these controls is not clear, yet the potential success of passive restoration methods depends upon this understanding. For a 54-year chronosequence of eleven tidal wetland restoration sites in the Lower Columbia River of western Oregon, USA, it was hypothesized that native plant species and soil properties would show trends approaching reference levels within 3 to 20 years post-restoration and that lower elevation wetland areas within restored sites would exhibit a greater native species abundance and similarity to reference sites, compared with restored high elevation wetland areas. Results indicated that plant species richness, soil organic matter, bulk density, pH, and salinity conditions among the restoration sites reached reference wetland ranges within 3-6 years post-tidal reconnection. The mid-low marsh elevation zones (2.5 m) remained dominated by non-native species Phalaris arundinacea and Juncus effusus subsp. effusus. To investigate the mechanisms driving these non-native plant invasions, it was hypothesized that native and non-native wetland plant community distributions would be reflective both of their abundance in the seed bank and of their germination tolerance to wetland tidal flooding and salinity conditions. Using a factorial study design of three tidal conditions by three salinity levels, these hypotheses were tested in the greenhouse. Overall, non-native seeds were found to significantly outnumber native seeds in both seed banks. In the greenhouse, P. arundinacea and J. effusus were found to germinate more readily out of the seed bank under freshwater high-marsh flooding (1 hour a day) treatments as compared to oligohaline (3 ppt) mid-low marsh flooding (3-6 hours twice a day) treatments and to brackish salinity (10 ppt) treatments. Dominant native wetland species, Carex lyngbyei and Schoenoplectus lacustris, germination were not found to vary significantly among the treatments (p > 0.10). These results indicate that the salinity and flooding gradients within these restored marshes suppress germination of the non-native species in the low-mid marsh but not in the high marsh, where they are likely able to outcompete the native species due to their dominance in the seed bank. The implications of these results for passive tidal wetland restoration efforts are that both seed bank composition and species-specific tolerances to restored tidal flooding and salinity gradients are key mechanisms driving native and non-native plant community development and resilience. Title: Ecosystem Recovery in Estuarine Wetlands of the Columbia River Estuary Author: Kidd, Sarah Ann Year: 2017 In the restoration of tidal wetland ecosystems, potential drivers of plant community development range from biotic controls (e.g. plant competition, seed dispersal) to abiotic controls (e.g. tidal flooding, salinity levels). How these controls influence the success of tidal wetland restoration are only partly understood, but have important implications for wetland habitat recovery. Specifically, the extent to which the existing native and non-native seed banks in tidally reconnected wetlands interact with these controls is not clear, yet the potential success of passive restoration methods depends upon this understanding. For a 54-year chronosequence of eleven tidal wetland restoration sites in the Lower Columbia River of western Oregon, USA, it was hypothesized that native plant species and soil properties would show trends approaching reference levels within 3 to 20 years post-restoration and that lower elevation wetland areas within restored sites would exhibit a greater native species abundance and similarity to reference sites, compared with restored high elevation wetland areas. Results indicated that plant species richness, soil organic matter, bulk density, pH, and salinity conditions among the restoration sites reached reference wetland ranges within 3-6 years post-tidal reconnection. The mid-low marsh elevation zones (2.5 m) remained dominated by non-native species Phalaris arundinacea and Juncus effusus subsp. effusus. To investigate the mechanisms driving these non-native plant invasions, it was hypothesized that native and non-native wetland plant community distributions would be reflective both of their abundance in the seed bank and of their germination tolerance to wetland tidal flooding and salinity conditions. Using a factorial study design of three tidal conditions by three salinity levels, these hypotheses were tested in the greenhouse. Overall, non-native seeds were found to significantly outnumber native seeds in both seed banks. In the greenhouse, P. arundinacea and J. effusus were found to germinate more readily out of the seed bank under freshwater high-marsh flooding (1 hour a day) treatments as compared to oligohaline (3 ppt) mid-low marsh flooding (3-6 hours twice a day) treatments and to brackish salinity (10 ppt) treatments. Dominant native wetland species, Carex lyngbyei and Schoenoplectus lacustris, germination were not found to vary significantly among the treatments (p > 0.10). These results indicate that the salinity and flooding gradients within these restored marshes suppress germination of the non-native species in the low-mid marsh but not in the high marsh, where they are likely able to outcompete the native species due to their dominance in the seed bank. The implications of these results for passive tidal wetland restoration efforts are that both seed bank composition and species-specific tolerances to restored tidal flooding and salinity gradients are key mechanisms driving native and non-native plant community development and resilience. Close

• 42. [Article] Coastal cutthroat trout : life in the watershed

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Coastal cutthroat trout : life in the watershed Author: Fitzpatrick, Martin S., Oregon State University. Sea Grant College Program Title: Coastal cutthroat trout : life in the watershed Author: Fitzpatrick, Martin S., Oregon State University. Sea Grant College Program Close

• 43. [Article] Coastal steelhead trout : life in the watershed

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Coastal steelhead trout : life in the watershed Author: Fitzpatrick, Martin S., Oregon State University. Sea Grant College Program Title: Coastal steelhead trout : life in the watershed Author: Fitzpatrick, Martin S., Oregon State University. Sea Grant College Program Close

• 44. [Article] Water quality effects of hyporheic processing

  "PB2000-107420."

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Water quality effects of hyporheic processing Author: Wigington, P.J., Landers, Dixon, Fernald, Alexander "PB2000-107420." Title: Water quality effects of hyporheic processing Author: Wigington, P.J., Landers, Dixon, Fernald, Alexander "PB2000-107420." Close

• 45. [Article] White River Watershed Assessment

  Abstract -- This Assessment has been undertaken by the White River Watershed Council, in partnership with the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District. It is the intent of this Assessment to provide ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: White River Watershed Assessment Abstract -- This Assessment has been undertaken by the White River Watershed Council, in partnership with the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District. It is the intent of this Assessment to provide a reference point from which the stakeholders in the White River Watershed, those who live and work in the watershed, can continue to plan for the health of its lands and waters into the future. The assessment contains sections on: a watershed description, settlement and development, stream flow and water rights, irrigation and water management, runoff and erosion, water quality, channel types, riparian and wetlands conditions, aquatic habitat, upland habitat, and evaluation. Title: White River Watershed Assessment Abstract -- This Assessment has been undertaken by the White River Watershed Council, in partnership with the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District. It is the intent of this Assessment to provide a reference point from which the stakeholders in the White River Watershed, those who live and work in the watershed, can continue to plan for the health of its lands and waters into the future. The assessment contains sections on: a watershed description, settlement and development, stream flow and water rights, irrigation and water management, runoff and erosion, water quality, channel types, riparian and wetlands conditions, aquatic habitat, upland habitat, and evaluation. Close

• 46. [Article] Coho salmon : life in the watershed

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Coho salmon : life in the watershed Author: Oregon State University. Sea Grant College Program, Oregon Coastal Watershed Enhancement Project Title: Coho salmon : life in the watershed Author: Oregon State University. Sea Grant College Program, Oregon Coastal Watershed Enhancement Project Close

• 47. [Article] South Fork Alsea watershed analysis

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: South Fork Alsea watershed analysis Title: South Fork Alsea watershed analysis Close

• 48. [Article] Ecology of female northern pintails during winter in the San Joaquin Valley, California

  I radio-tagged 191 Hatch-Year (HY) and After-Hatch-Year (AHY) female northern pintails (Anas acuta) in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), California and studied their movements, habitat use and survival during ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecology of female northern pintails during winter in the San Joaquin Valley, California Author: Fleskes, Joseph P. I radio-tagged 191 Hatch-Year (HY) and After-Hatch-Year (AHY) female northern pintails (Anas acuta) in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), California and studied their movements, habitat use and survival during August March, 1991-94. Overall, 94.3% wintered in central California; the highest percentage left during the 1991 drought. Tulare Basin and Mendota Wildlife Area (WA) pintails moved to the Grassland Ecological Area (EA) vicinity when hunting began. Of those wintering in central California, 83% went to the Sacramento Valley, most during December. AHY pintails tended to leave earliest but the effect of age varied with body condition. Loss of Tulare Basin habitat has contributed to the late-winter decline of pintails throughout the SJV. Local distribution and movements differed most among seasons, day and night periods and shoot and nonshoot days. Overall, 64% of the day and 85% of the night locations in the Grassland EA vicinity were on private wetlands. Habitat availability and use varied greatly among SJV areas and during the winter. Pintails selected shallow and avoided deepwater habitats. Swamp timothy wetlands were the most abundant and most highly selected habitat in Grassland EA and Mendota WA. In Tulare Basin, preirrigated fields were the most abundant and selected habitat during PREHUNT, but managed wetlands were most abundant and selected thereafter. Selection of watergrass wetlands during night was low in the Grassland EA vicinity but high in Mendota WA. In Tulare Basin, pintails selected preirrigated fallow and safflower fields; selection of barley-wheat fields varied greatly. The exodus of most pintails from the SJV during December implies that preferred late-winter habitats were lacking. Winter survival was lower for HY (0.67) than AHY (0.76) pintails. Survival was similar to Louisiana and Suisun Marsh but lower than in the Sacramento Valley. Hunting caused 83%, avian predators 7.6%, collisions 1%, and disease or other non-hunting factors 8.7% of the mortalities. Hunting mortality was related to fall body condition for HY but not AHY pintails. The retrieval rate for shot radio-tagged pintails was 80.3%. This study indicates that inter-related factors influenced female pintail ecology during winter in California but availability of productive habitat was especially important. Title: Ecology of female northern pintails during winter in the San Joaquin Valley, California Author: Fleskes, Joseph P. I radio-tagged 191 Hatch-Year (HY) and After-Hatch-Year (AHY) female northern pintails (Anas acuta) in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), California and studied their movements, habitat use and survival during August March, 1991-94. Overall, 94.3% wintered in central California; the highest percentage left during the 1991 drought. Tulare Basin and Mendota Wildlife Area (WA) pintails moved to the Grassland Ecological Area (EA) vicinity when hunting began. Of those wintering in central California, 83% went to the Sacramento Valley, most during December. AHY pintails tended to leave earliest but the effect of age varied with body condition. Loss of Tulare Basin habitat has contributed to the late-winter decline of pintails throughout the SJV. Local distribution and movements differed most among seasons, day and night periods and shoot and nonshoot days. Overall, 64% of the day and 85% of the night locations in the Grassland EA vicinity were on private wetlands. Habitat availability and use varied greatly among SJV areas and during the winter. Pintails selected shallow and avoided deepwater habitats. Swamp timothy wetlands were the most abundant and most highly selected habitat in Grassland EA and Mendota WA. In Tulare Basin, preirrigated fields were the most abundant and selected habitat during PREHUNT, but managed wetlands were most abundant and selected thereafter. Selection of watergrass wetlands during night was low in the Grassland EA vicinity but high in Mendota WA. In Tulare Basin, pintails selected preirrigated fallow and safflower fields; selection of barley-wheat fields varied greatly. The exodus of most pintails from the SJV during December implies that preferred late-winter habitats were lacking. Winter survival was lower for HY (0.67) than AHY (0.76) pintails. Survival was similar to Louisiana and Suisun Marsh but lower than in the Sacramento Valley. Hunting caused 83%, avian predators 7.6%, collisions 1%, and disease or other non-hunting factors 8.7% of the mortalities. Hunting mortality was related to fall body condition for HY but not AHY pintails. The retrieval rate for shot radio-tagged pintails was 80.3%. This study indicates that inter-related factors influenced female pintail ecology during winter in California but availability of productive habitat was especially important. Close

• 49. [Article] Vegetation characterization of three contrasting riparian areas : Williamette Valley, Oregon

  Much of the native riparian vegetation of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, has been replaced with agricultural crops or invasive non-native plant species. Detailed information about current Willamette Valley ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Vegetation characterization of three contrasting riparian areas : Williamette Valley, Oregon Author: McAllister, Lynne S., Dwire, Kathleen A., Griffith, Stephen M. Much of the native riparian vegetation of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, has been replaced with agricultural crops or invasive non-native plant species. Detailed information about current Willamette Valley riparian vegetation is generally lacking. Plant specie composition data are useful in a variety of applications, including condition assessment, environmental monitoring and restoration planning. The objective of this study was to characterize the vegetation of three contrasting riparian sites occurring in the Willamette Valley. W determined plant species composition and abundance at a non-cultivated herbaceous site and a cultivated site, both located along Lake Creek, an intermittent stream, and at a forested site located along the Calapooia River, a perennial stream. All sites were adjacent to intensively-managed perennial ryegrass seed production fields. Crop agriculture strongly encroached on the Lake Creek sites, whereas the Calapooia site had received little encroachment from agricultural coversion. At Lake Creek, we inventoried 32 species at the non-cultivated herbaceous site and 18 species at the cultivated site, most of which were non-native. The cultivated site was dominated by wetland-adapted species in the area closest to the creek where perennial ryegrass was absent. Approximately half of the species at the non-cultivated herbaceous site were facultative upland species, and the site was dominated by introduced pasture grasses. In contrast, the 53 species inventoried at the forested site were mostly native and wetland-adapted. The forested site was dominated by Poplus balsamifera ssp, trichocarap T. & G., Pseudotsuga menziessii (Mirbel) Franco, and Acer macrophyllum Pursh, with extensive shrub and herbaceous strata. Results show a range of vegetative conditions found in riparian areas of the Willamette Valley and reflect the influence of differing hydrologic regimes and agricultural impacts. Title: Vegetation characterization of three contrasting riparian areas : Williamette Valley, Oregon Author: McAllister, Lynne S., Dwire, Kathleen A., Griffith, Stephen M. Much of the native riparian vegetation of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, has been replaced with agricultural crops or invasive non-native plant species. Detailed information about current Willamette Valley riparian vegetation is generally lacking. Plant specie composition data are useful in a variety of applications, including condition assessment, environmental monitoring and restoration planning. The objective of this study was to characterize the vegetation of three contrasting riparian sites occurring in the Willamette Valley. W determined plant species composition and abundance at a non-cultivated herbaceous site and a cultivated site, both located along Lake Creek, an intermittent stream, and at a forested site located along the Calapooia River, a perennial stream. All sites were adjacent to intensively-managed perennial ryegrass seed production fields. Crop agriculture strongly encroached on the Lake Creek sites, whereas the Calapooia site had received little encroachment from agricultural coversion. At Lake Creek, we inventoried 32 species at the non-cultivated herbaceous site and 18 species at the cultivated site, most of which were non-native. The cultivated site was dominated by wetland-adapted species in the area closest to the creek where perennial ryegrass was absent. Approximately half of the species at the non-cultivated herbaceous site were facultative upland species, and the site was dominated by introduced pasture grasses. In contrast, the 53 species inventoried at the forested site were mostly native and wetland-adapted. The forested site was dominated by Poplus balsamifera ssp, trichocarap T. & G., Pseudotsuga menziessii (Mirbel) Franco, and Acer macrophyllum Pursh, with extensive shrub and herbaceous strata. Results show a range of vegetative conditions found in riparian areas of the Willamette Valley and reflect the influence of differing hydrologic regimes and agricultural impacts. Close

• 50. [Article] End Creek - Rice Fish Habitat and Wetland Restoration Project, OWEB #204-434

  Abstract -- The summer of 2006 culminated in the successful implementation of three consecutive phases of the End Creek Restoration Project located in the northwest Grande Ronde Valley within the Grande ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: End Creek - Rice Fish Habitat and Wetland Restoration Project, OWEB #204-434 Abstract -- The summer of 2006 culminated in the successful implementation of three consecutive phases of the End Creek Restoration Project located in the northwest Grande Ronde Valley within the Grande Ronde Subbasin of eastern Oregon. The End Creek Project complex encompasses approximately 776 acres within three contiguous private land parcels, 1.13 miles of End Creek, 1.06 miles of the South Fork Willow Creek, 0.65 miles of McDonald Creek, and several spring-fed tributaries in the Willow Creek Watershed. This 39 page report details the many aspects of this project and includes photos, figures, and references. Title: End Creek - Rice Fish Habitat and Wetland Restoration Project, OWEB #204-434 Abstract -- The summer of 2006 culminated in the successful implementation of three consecutive phases of the End Creek Restoration Project located in the northwest Grande Ronde Valley within the Grande Ronde Subbasin of eastern Oregon. The End Creek Project complex encompasses approximately 776 acres within three contiguous private land parcels, 1.13 miles of End Creek, 1.06 miles of the South Fork Willow Creek, 0.65 miles of McDonald Creek, and several spring-fed tributaries in the Willow Creek Watershed. This 39 page report details the many aspects of this project and includes photos, figures, and references. Close