Frederica Wood

Comparison of methods for calculating annual solute exports from six forested appalachian watersheds

Six methods were compared for calculating annual stream exports of sulfate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium and aluminum from six small Appalachian watersheds. Approximately 250–400 stream samples and concurrent stream flow measurements were collected during baseflows and storm flows for the 1989 water year at five Pennsylvania watersheds and during the 1989–1992 water years at a West Virginia watershed. Continuous stream flow records were also collected at each watershed. Solute exports were calculated from the complete data set using six different scenarios ranging from instantaneous monthly measurements of stream chemistry and stream flow, to intensive monitoring of storm flow events and multiple regression equations. The results for five of the methods were compared with the regression method because statistically significant models were developed and the regression equations allowed for prediction of solute concentrations during unsampled storm flows. Results indicated that continuous stream flow measurement was critical to producing exports within 10% of regression estimates. For solutes whose concentrations were not correlated strongly with stream flow, weekly grab samples combined with continuous records of stream flow were sufficient to produce export estimates within 10% of the regression method. For solutes whose concentrations were correlated strongly with stream flow, more intensive sampling during storm flows or the use of multiple regression equations were the most appropriate methods, especially for watersheds where stream flows changed most quickly. Concentration–stream flow relationships, stream hydrological response, available resources and required level of accuracy of chemical budgets should be considered when choosing a method for calculating solute exports.

Using photographic image analysis to assess ground cover: a case study of forest road cutbanks

Road prisms, including cutbanks, road surfaces, and fillslopes, can be important contributors of sediment to streams in forested watersheds. Following road construction, cutbanks and fillslopes are often seeded, mulched, and sometimes fertilized to limit erosion and sedimentation. Assessing the success of vegetation establishment on cutbanks and fillslopes is a common task of forested land managers. This study developed and applied a photographic image analysis method to assess percent ground cover along an entire cutbank of a cut-and-fill haul road in the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker County, West Virginia. Variable-sized sections were employed to quantify the vegetative cover. Measurements obtained by this technique were similar to more commonly applied fixed-area plots, and it proved to be a useful tool for land managers who require a more repeatable quantification of ground cover than is possible through visual assessments. Cutbank slope and aspect also were analyzed to determine their potential impact on cutbank vegetation establishment. Slope was not a significant variable in explaining differences in vegetation cover; however, aspect did affect vegetation establishment. South-facing aspects had significantly lower percent vegetation cover than northeast, east, northwest, and north northwest aspects after the first year following seeding and throughout the entire study. Mean percent cover on the south-facing cutbanks was 32% over all time periods, compared to 60% to 73% for the other represented aspects. This result was expected since south-facing slopes generally are drier in the growing season and are subject to more freeze–thaw cycles in the winter. Timber felled onto the cutbank also decreased vegetative cover in the short term on north and north northwest aspects, but vegetation quickly became reestablished on these aspects with their favorable growing conditions.

Turbidity and suspended-sediment changes from stream-crossing construction on a forest haul road in West Virginia, USA

A forested headwater watershed in West Virginia was monitored to examine changes to in-stream turbidity following the construction of a 0.92 km (0.57 mi) haul road. Due to the design of the study, most of the sediment that entered the stream following road construction was known to result from the stream crossings and approaches to the crossings. Stream-water samples collected daily and sequentially during stormflow from 1999 through 2005 were used to interpret the effects of stream-crossing construction on turbidity and suspended-sediment concentrations (SSC). Daily and stormflow turbidity and SSC values increased as a result of the construction. Average sediment loads (kg per storm) and total annualized sediment loads (kg per year) also increased significantly, both by a factor of about 1.8. Sediment delivery to the stream was caused by mechanical introduction of soil during stream-crossing culvert installation and fill-slope construction in the crossing approaches, and by erosion of those areas due to delays in vegetation re-establishment. Inputs from stream-crossing construction affected the overall sediment regime of the stream; the turbidity-discharge hysteresis changed from the normal clockwise pattern to a counter-clockwise pattern for about seven months. As the crossing fills and approach fill slopes became re-vegetated, they stabilized, and annualized sediment loads declined. However, at the end of the study, sediment exports remained above pre-disturbance levels.

Effects of development of a natural gas well and associated pipeline on the natural and scientific resources of the Fernow Experimental Forest

Development of a natural gas well and pipeline on the Fernow Experimental Forest, WV, raised concerns about the effects on the natural and scientifi c resources of the Fernow, set aside in 1934 for long-term research. A case study approach was used to evaluate effects of the development. This report includes results of monitoring projects as well as observations related to unexpected impacts on the resources of the Fernow. Two points are obvious: that some effects can be predicted and mitigated through cooperation between landowner and energy developer, and that unexpected impacts will occur. These unexpected impacts may be most problematic.

Characterization of Ozone during consecutive drought and wet years at a rural West Virginia site

Ozone concentrations at a rural-remote site in a forested region of north-central West Virginia were monitored during 1988 and 1989, a drought and wet year, respectively. During 1988, the absolute maximum average concentration for a single hour was 156 ppb, while it was only 107 ppb in 1989. Overall, the frequency of high concentrations was greater during 1988; the 120 ppb National Ambient Air Quality Standard was exceeded 17 times. The 7-h period encompassing the highest growing season concentrations for this site over the 2-yr period is 1100- 1759 h EST, rather than the period 0900-1559 h originally used by the National Crop Loss Assessment Network. The 7-h growing season means (0900-1559 h) of 52.6 ppb and 47.1 ppb for 1988 and 1989, respectively, compare well to those reported for the Piedmont/Mountain/Ridge-Valley area, but are higher than those for other surrounding areas. The diurnal ozone patterns, as well as the distribution of concentration ranges and timing of seasonal maxima, suggest that long...

Growth and development of planted northern red oak on bulldozed skidroads after clearcutting in Appalachian hardwoods

Artificial regeneration of northern red oak in Appalachian clearcuts on mesic sites is hindered by accessibility and competition from developing vegetation. The use of skidroads as a planting medium was evaluated on two clearcuts with contrasting aspects in north central West Virginia. Stratified acorns were planted in tree shelters at three positions (cut, middle, fill) on the roadbed and one position (offroad) adjacent to the roadbed. Height growth, percent survival, competitive status, and potential crop trees were measured after eight growing seasons. Bulk density and percent soil moisture and organic matter also were measured. Height growth was greatest on the off-road and fill positions. The overall height difference (1.5 feet) between off-road and fill positions was less than expected from measurements of soil parameters. Roadbed bulk densities were highest at the cut and lowest at the fill positions. Bulk densities were lowest at the off-road positions. Roadbed moisture content remained about 40 percent lower than that at off-road positions throughout the year.