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Research article2005Peer reviewedOpen access

Forecasting environmental responses to restoration of rivers used as log floatways: An interdisciplinary challenge

Nilsson C, Lepori F, Malmqvist B, Tornlund E, Hjerdt N, Helfield JM, Palm D, Ostergren J, Jansson R, Brannas E, Lundqvist H

Abstract

Log floating in the 19th to mid 20th centuries has profoundly changed the environmental conditions in many northern river systems of the world. Regulation of flow by dams, straightening and narrowing of channels by various piers and wing dams, and homogenization of bed structure are some of the major impacts. As a result, the conditions for many riverine organisms have been altered. Removing physical constructions and returning boulders to the channels can potentially restore conditions for these organisms. Here we describe the history of log driving, review its impact on physical and biological conditions and processes, and predict the responses to restoration. Reviewing the literature on comparable restoration efforts and building upon this knowledge, using boreal Swedish rivers as an example, we address the last point. We hypothesize that restoration measures will make rivers wider and more sinuous, and provide rougher bottoms, thus improving land-water interactions and increasing the retention capacity of water, sediment, organic matter and nutrients. The geomorphic and hydraulic/hydrologic alterations are supposed to favor production, diversity, migration and reproduction of riparian and aquatic organisms. The response rates are likely to vary according to the types of processes and organisms. Some habitat components, such as beds of very large boulders and bedrock outcrops, and availability of sediment and large woody debris are believed to be extremely difficult to restore. Monitoring and evaluation at several scales are needed to test our predictions

Keywords

channelization; fish; floatways; forecasting; invertebrate; log floating; recovery; restoration; retention; riparian ecosystems; river; Sweden; transport history

Published in

Ecosystems
2005, Volume: 8, number: 7, pages: 779-800
Publisher: SPRINGER

      SLU Authors

    • Palm, Daniel

      • Department of Aquaculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      • Östergren, Johan

        • Department of Aquaculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        • Brännäs, Eva

          • Department of Aquaculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

          • Lundqvist, Hans

            • Department of Aquaculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

          UKÄ Subject classification

          Fish and Aquacultural Science
          Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use

          Publication identifier

          DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-005-0030-9

          Permanent link to this page (URI)

          https://res.slu.se/id/publ/7409