Background

What are the Effects of Forest Management on Fish and the Aquatic Environment at a Watershed Scale?


Stream ecosystems are complex with multiple linkages among system components and processes at a watershed scale. While contemporary forest practice rules are designed to minimize negative impacts, forest harvest may affect elements or linkages at multiple points in watershed networks and these effects may then cascade through the system.  Effects of forest harvest on these types of processes are best addressed at a watershed scale. The general objectives of the Trask Study are to investigate:

  • The effects of forest harvest on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of small headwater streams,
  • The extent to which alterations in stream conditions caused by harvest along headwater channels influences the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of downstream fish-bearing streams.
Watershed Research Cooperative

The Trask River Watershed Study is part of a research cooperative including two other watershed studies in Oregon- Hinkle Creek (Cascades) and Alsea Revisited (Mid-Coast) (see map).  The three studies complement each other by conducting research using similar designs and methods, in different watersheds.  This collaboration of three watershed studies under one research cooperative (Watersheds Research Cooperative) provides greater ecological context to address forest management effectiveness questions. Several watershed processes are being researched. The research is conducted at two scales- within the immediate area of harvest treatments and at downstream locations throughout the watershed.  These are integrated multi-disciplinary studies that will provide important information for adaptive management processes on state, private, and federal forests.
 
Multi-Disciplinary Science

This research is being lead by a multi-disciplinary science team comprised of scientists from multiple research organizations.  Private, state, and federal landowners, and natural resource managers are participating in the planning and implementation.
 
Collaborators

The Trask River Watershed Study is part of the Watersheds Research Cooperative (WRC) including two other watershed studies in Oregon- Hinkle Creek (Cascades) and Alsea Revisited (Mid-Coast).  Each watershed study has a Science Team, which is composed of an interdisciplinary, multi-organizational group of scientists with expertise in key areas. Each team is coordinated and directed by a science lead or co-lead.  Integration among studies within the WRC is both formal and informal; frequent informal interactions and sharing of results occur in many venues and as a result of overlap of individuals among teams and during local, regional and national scientific meetings and field tours. Formal interaction and coordination occurs among science leads during annual reviews.

Collaboration

Landowners have altered harvest schedules and management plans on their property within the study areas to conform to experimental designs. In addition, these watershed studies are long term projects and annual financial support has been committed by landowners and others including:
-  Trask - Oregon Department of Forestry, Weyerhaeuser Company
-  Hinkle - Roseburg Forest Products, WRC
-  Alsea -National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Plum Creek Timber Company.

Each watershed study has coordinated its research with related efforts that are occurring in the region. Watershed scientists outside of the WRC studies are frequently consulted for input on study plans or to coordinate field visits to comparable projects. The WRC studies also communicate regularly with groups outside of the traditional scientific community. Frequent interactions occur with community groups, forest industry representatives and state and federal agencies. Support from communities (Douglas and Tillamook Counties), NGOs (Watershed councils, Oregon Trout, Tillamook Estuary Partnership), agencies (OFIC, ODEQ, ODFW) and participating land owners (Weyerhaeuser Company, Roseburg Forest Products, Plum Creek Timber Company, ODF, BLM) are an indication of the extent of this interaction.

Data Management

A major obligation for each study within WRC is providing data and metadata to networked databases, so that others can use data in years to come. The Trask and Hinkle science teams have data space through the OSU Forestry Computing Network and the Alsea through NCASI computer networks. Web sites of the WRC, NCASI and ODF are being used to post study plans, processed data and metadata, participant activities and summaries of findings.

 
Trask River Watershed Study
   Background
   Contextual Analysis
   Contextual Analysis Data
   Study Design
   Science Team
   Reports
   2010 Trask Field Tours