Research Accomplishment Reports 2011

Evaluating Streamside Management Zone Effectiveness in Forested Headwater Catchments of Central Appalachia

C. Barton
Department of Forestry

 

Non-Technical Summary

Given the variability of current streamside management zone BMPs in the region, some are likely excessive or lacking with respect to the effectiveness of controlling NPSP and/or impacting biological communities that utilize these systems. BMPs that are lacking lead to enhanced NPSP and damage to biota while those that are excessive lead to costly, unneeded BMP implementation. In either case there is a cost, one environmental/ecological and one economic. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop streamside management zone BMPs that are appropriate for the Central Appalachian Region. Through this research we will develop an understanding on how specific streamside management zone BMPs influence carbon and nutrient cycling and transport, sediment transport and aquatic biota.

2011 Project Description

A project to examine forest harvesting impacts and the role of BMPs on water quality and aquatic biota in eastern Kentucky watersheds was implemented in 2005. Eight forested watersheds in the University of Kentucky's Robinson Forest (Breathitt Co., KY) were selected for inclusion in the study. Six of these watersheds were harvested, while the remaining two are being utilized as uncut controls. Three duplicated riparian zone treatments were imposed on the harvested watersheds.

Treatments examine differing forestry BMPs pertaining to riparian zone width and disturbance and stream crossings. Many of the activities occurring during the 2010 period pertain to collection of post harvest data and initial assessment of results.

Major accomplishments to date include:

1. Research activities involving characterization of stream geometry and morphological metrics, hydrologic monitoring, water chemistry monitoring, vegetation monitoring in riparian and upland zones, avian community monitoring, herpetofaunal characterization of stream and riparian areas and characterization of macroinvertebrate communities within the stream systems are on-going.

2. Influences of treatments on the forested ecosystem (water quality, hydrology, geomorphology, flora and fauna) are currently being examined.

3. Training and educational experience for fourteen graduate students actively involved in the project (11 from the University of Kentucky, 2 from Western Kentucky University and 1 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania) and numerous undergraduate interns has occurred, and continues;

4. Seventeen presentations have been given at National/International forums;

5. Twelve on-site tours for water quality/natural resource professionals (approximately 350 in attendance) have been performed.

6. Four forums for student, faculty and trustees of the University were conducted to educate and inform community members about this project.

7. Two on-site field tours have been conducted for the general public.

2011 Impact

Given that analysis of the data is on-going, outcomes are difficult to quantify at this time. However, the results of this research will and have led to multiple refereed and popular press publications. Although publications will reach a large audience, the connection between science and policy is critical. State and regional ties through our extension and research partnerships will allow us to make the connection between science and policy.

Initially we are focusing our attention on Kentucky's forestry BMP statutes. Kentucky's statutory environment governing the approval and use of forestry BMPs provides an effective platform to ensure that the results of this study will be assessed and used in evaluating SMZ guidelines. The combined Forestry BMP Board and Agriculture Water Quality Authorities Silviculture Committee have prioritized the need for BMP work to facilitate their role in evaluating BMP criteria and recommending changes.

The results of this research will be used by the Kentucky Forestry Best Management Practices Board in their role as reviewer of Kentucky's forestry BMPs and advisory body to the governors' office on forestry BMP issues and the enforcement of the Kentucky Forest Conservation Act. The Silviculture Committee of the Agriculture Water Quality Authority will also use this information to evaluate the efficacy of Kentucky's riparian zone standards that are required for use by all woodland owners in the state owning 10 acres or more and undertaking forestry operations. This body has the ability to recommend changes to the states legal requirements for riparian zones.

Also, UK's Forestry Department has strong instate continuing education programs for loggers including the Kentucky Master Logger program and it's three day primary program and associated continuing education classes, and the Kentucky LogJam newsletter sent to all Kentucky Master Loggers, ensures that there is an efficient distribution network for the information generated by this project. The Kentucky Master Logger program is currently required for all commercial timber harvests and the program had graduated over 4,000 loggers at the end of 2000. These operators generate approximately 1 billion board feet of hardwood timber per year, with harvests impacting 300,000 acres. All 4,000 KML loggers will receive 6 hours of continuing education every 3 years.

This project will and has provided continuing education materials in the form of fact sheets and instructional information for use in these programs and the outlets. Results of this project are being distributed to natural resource professionals, including both instate and out of state agencies, industry foresters, land managers and federal agencies. We expect the impact of the research will have a "follow the leader" effect on other Appalachian States as the research is publicized. In some cases we expect that other states will directly use the results of our research to assess their riparian zone BMP guidelines. In other cases we expect that our results will indirectly affect other states by raising questions that will lead to additional BMP research in the region.

2011 Publications

Zipper, Carl; Burger, James; Skousen, Jeffrey; Angel, Patrick; Barton, Chris; Davis, Victor; and Franklin, Jennifer. 2011. Restoring Forests and Associated Ecosystem Services on Appalachian Coal Surface Mines. Environmental Management. 47: 751-765.

C.B. Mastin, J.D. Edwards, C.D. Barton, A.D. Karathanasis, C.T. Agouridis and R.C. Warner. 2011. Development and Deployment of a Bioreactor for the Removal of Sulfate and Manganese from Circumneutral Coal Mine Drainage. In: Bioreactors: Design, Properties and Applications. Nova Science Publishers: Hauppauge, NY (In Press)

C. D. Barton. 2011. Coal Mining Versus Water Quality: An Electrifying Topic. American Water Resources Association: Water Resource Impact. 13(2): 23-24.

Eiche, N., and C.D. Barton. Long-term effectiveness of BMPs in eastern Kentucky. Society of American Foresters National Convention. Hawaii. November 2-6, 2011.

Williamson, T., J. Newson, C. Agouridis, C. Barton, R. Warner, J. Villines. Hydrologic Modeling of Ephemeral Stream Channels in Coal Region of Eastern Kentucky. Abstracts ASA-CSA-SSSA Annual Conference; San Antonio, TX.October 16-19, 2011.

Barton C.D. Principles for Establishing Ecologically Successful Riparian Corridors. USEPA, USACOE, USDOI Interagency Stream Mitigation Workshop; Lexington, KY. April 14, 2011