Harvard Forest On-Going Research Projects

Harvard Forest Research

Ecology of Headwater Streams

Principal Investigator: Betsy Colburn
Harvard Forest: Jan 01 2007 - Jan 01 2010:

Abstract:
Headwater Habitat Streams, variously termed ephemeral, intermittent, primary headwater, or temporary streams, are understudied and underprotected in Massachusetts. Research in the central and southern Appalachians, the Midwestern United States, southeastern Ontario, and the Pacific Northwest, shows that Headwater Habitat Streams support rich and unique faunas and contribute to the biological integrity of downstream, perennial stream reaches (Williams and Hynes 1976, Davic 1998, Richardson 2000, Paybins 2002, Meyer et al. 2007). In New England, Klemens (1993) has found that dusky salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus) have disappeared from a significant proportion of Connecticut streams whose intermittent headwaters have been altered.

The lack of knowledge about the functional role of Headwater Habitat Streams in the watershed of perennial streams and rivers, and of the contributions of these habitats to biodiversity, has led to inadequate protection of intermittent headwaters and, consequently, of downstream water bodies. The Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act (MGL Ch. 131 Sect. 40) provides for protection of part of the bank and stream bottom in intermittent streams that are located down-gradient from wetland resource areas or are bordered by wetland plants. The River Protection Act (Chapter 258, Statutes of 1996) protects and provides for no-build buffer zones around perennial streams but denies this protection to intermittent streams. The differences in definitions of intermittent streams in the two laws, and differences in presumptions of significance to public interests, have led to confusion and inconsistencies in protection at the local and state level. In addition, recent court decisions have led to confusion about the level of protection afforded to headwater streams by the Clean Water Act.

We are conducting surveys and biological assessments in headwater streams in Central Massachusetts to obtain baseline information on the physical habitat characteristics, water chemistry, and biotic communities for comparison with headwaters in other geographic areas. Questions of particular interest are the relationships of headwater stream characteristics with forest type and with historic land uses, and potential effects of changes in land cover and/or land use, including development, harvesting, and hemlock decline.
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	Harvard Forest Research Ecology of Headwater Streams Principal Investigator: Betsy Colburn Harvard Forest: Jan 01 2007 - Jan 01 2010: Abstract: Headwater Habitat Streams, variously termed ephemeral, intermittent, primary headwater, or temporary streams, are understudied and underprotected in Massachusetts. Research in the central and southern Appalachians, the Midwestern United States, southeastern Ontario, and the Pacific Northwest, shows that Headwater Habitat Streams support rich and unique faunas and contribute to the biological integrity of downstream, perennial stream reaches (Williams and Hynes 1976, Davic 1998, Richardson 2000, Paybins 2002, Meyer et al. 2007). In New England, Klemens (1993) has found that dusky salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus) have disappeared from a significant proportion of Connecticut streams whose intermittent headwaters have been altered. The lack of knowledge about the functional role of Headwater Habitat Streams in the watershed of perennial streams and rivers, and of the contributions of these habitats to biodiversity, has led to inadequate protection of intermittent headwaters and, consequently, of downstream water bodies. The Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act (MGL Ch. 131 Sect. 40) provides for protection of part of the bank and stream bottom in intermittent streams that are located down-gradient from wetland resource areas or are bordered by wetland plants. The River Protection Act (Chapter 258, Statutes of 1996) protects and provides for no-build buffer zones around perennial streams but denies this protection to intermittent streams. The differences in definitions of intermittent streams in the two laws, and differences in presumptions of significance to public interests, have led to confusion and inconsistencies in protection at the local and state level. In addition, recent court decisions have led to confusion about the level of protection afforded to headwater streams by the Clean Water Act. We are conducting surveys and biological assessments in headwater streams in Central Massachusetts to obtain baseline information on the physical habitat characteristics, water chemistry, and biotic communities for comparison with headwaters in other geographic areas. Questions of particular interest are the relationships of headwater stream characteristics with forest type and with historic land uses, and potential effects of changes in land cover and/or land use, including development, harvesting, and hemlock decline. :
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