The Ecology and Management of Wood in World Rivers

Fish Relationships with Large Wood in Small Streams

C. Andrew Dolloff and Melvin L. Warren, Jr.

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781888569568.ch9

Abstract.—Many ecological processes are associated with large wood in streams, such as forming habitat critical for fish and a host of other organisms. Wood loading in streams varies with age and species of riparian vegetation, stream size, time since last disturbance, and history of land use. Changes in the landscape resulting from homesteading, agriculture, and logging have altered forest environments, which, in turn, changed the physical and biological characteristics of many streams worldwide. Wood is also important in creating refugia for fish and other aquatic species. Removing wood from streams typically results in loss of pool habitat and overall complexity as well as fewer and smaller individuals of both coldwater and warmwater fish species. The life histories of more than 85 species of fish have some association with large wood for cover, spawning (egg attachment, nest materials), and feeding. Many other aquatic organisms, such as crayfish, certain species of freshwater mussels, and turtles, also depend on large wood during at least part of their life cycles.