Investigating the effects of retaining riparian forest buffer zones of differing width on stream channel geomorphology

Abstract

To monitor temporal stream shape change over a gradient of RBZ widths, channel cross section measurements were continued at preestablished points that have been present since 2011. The points are marked with 0.4-metre-long PVC pipes that are spray painted yellow for easier identification and surrounding bedrock or roots are also marked at the exact location of the pipes in case a pipe should be eroded away in future. Channel cross sections were calculated using a standardised method. Cross- sectional area (CSA) measurement was repeated for every pre-established cross section point along the stream. These were located 250 m apart and numbered 4- 10, depending on the accessibility of the trails upstream. The stream with a '0 metre' buffer, for instance, had only four measurement points due to a steep waterfall which could not be passed. The CSA of these stream points were re-measured on a yearly basis in 2011 - 2014, 2018 and 2019.

To monitor temporal stream shape change over a gradient of RBZ widths, channel cross section measurements were continued at preestablished points that have been present since 2011. The points are marked with 0.4-metre-long PVC pipes that are spray painted yellow for easier identification and surrounding bedrock or roots are also marked at the exact location of the pipes in case a pipe should be eroded away in future. Channel cross sections were calculated using a standardised method. Cross- sectional area (CSA) measurement was repeated for every pre-established cross section point along the stream. These were located 250 m apart and numbered 4- 10, depending on the accessibility of the trails upstream. The stream with a '0 metre' buffer, for instance, had only four measurement points due to a steep waterfall which could not be passed. The CSA of these stream points were re-measured on a yearly basis in 2011 - 2014, 2018 and 2019.