SEE THE LP-80: metergroup.com/lp80
LAI IN STREAM RESTORATION
The traditional approach to stream restoration is channel manipulation. This often requires heavy equipment and major disruption to the riparian area. University of Idaho graduate student Adrianne Zuckerman is taking a different approach. She set out to understand how vegetation lining the streambank impacts habitat quality for anadromous salmon and steelhead in Washington's Methow River, which flows through the eastern Cascades. Ms. Zuckerman wants to know how tree species composition affects the amount of nutrients available to the benthic insect community since they are a critical food source for young salmonid fish.
When Ms. Zuckerman began investigating methods for measuring leaf contribution to the stream she found that leaf litter traps were the standard equipment. However, leaf litter traps are time-consuming to set and maintain. Data analysis consists of frequent visits to the field followed by extensive time in the lab processing leaf material.
When looking for an alternative method she discovered the LP-80 ceptometer; a lightweight, field-portable instrument for measuring leaf area index (learn more about the LP-80). Using the LP-80, Ms. Zuckerman can rapidly assess the leaf area contribution of each tree species along the riparian corridor. Using this information, it is relatively straightforward for her to estimate the contribution of each tree species to the stream food web.
Ms. Zuckerman's research will help land managers and other researchers understand the importance of riparian vegetation for maximizing the food available to salmonid fish species. Improving and maintaining optimal stream-side vegetation composition should ultimately help enhance salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest.
DISCOVER THE LP-80: metergroup.com/lp80
Негізгі бет Ғылым және технология LP 80: Easy Leaf Area Index and PAR Measurements
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