Trout Stream Conservation
One of the primary concerns of logging in Wisconsin are the effects of logging in trout stream systems. There are over 3,300 square miles of trout streams covering 3 million acres in Wisconsin, with one third of these flowing into either Lake Michigan or Lake Superior. When trout stream systems are degraded, many of the ecosystems that bring tourists to Wisconsin and negatively affected. These harmed stream systems can be prevented with a handful of simple changes within the logging industry, leading to a thriving environment for both sides.
The most aggravated area when it comes to trout streams are the riparian areas around the streams. When healthy, these riparian areas minimize temperature fluctuations reduces and sediment erosion while controlling water flow into the stream, while providing a layer of defense for protecting water quality. The most common cause for all of the above being compromised are inappropriate logging practices.
So what happens when the land around a trout stream is harvested improperly? The most obvious one is that the water temperature warms up. Trout flourish in cooler water temperatures, and a suddenly uncovered stream can see its temperature rise rapidly. Erosion is the next to occur. Without the surrounding trees and brush, soil and sediments wash into the stream. This causes a problems as trout create their nests in the gravel found at the bottom of the stream. If that sediment covers 30%-40% of the streambed, an almost complete loss of trout breeding habitat will occur.
Without the ground matter from trees and plants or the sediments to absorb water, and even the loss of the tree leaves slowing down the rate of precipitation, water flows into the streams at an unimpeded rate, increasing the flow of water in the stream. The increased water flow means a strong stream current, which makes it harder for spawning trout to swim upstream. Adding to this, the removal of brush also removes many of the stalling points in the stream, so the trout never have the chance to rest. Additionally, plant matter that enters the stream provides a food source for aquatic insects, which in turn provides a steady food supply for trout. In fact, according to a University of New Hampshire study, 99% of a streams biological energy comes from pieces of plant material that end up in the stream. Trees regulate temperature by keeping stream waters cool in the summer, while providing a layer of insulation during the colder months, thereby reducing the amount of time a stream experiences freeze over, and increasing the time that trout have to grow and strengthen for the next spawning season.
Besides providing a shaded, cool, temperature regulated environment for trout, a steady stream of food for our aquatic friends, trees are a key source of habitat for trout. Large branches in the water, as well as fallen trees, are key sources to the creation and maintenance of trout populations; the habitats that trees provide are irreplaceable. It is not just as simple as keeping a bunch of trees standing, though. Depending on what lake basin the trout stream flows into, certain species of trees must be present in order to facilitate the longevity of the stream and to maximize its positive impact on the riparian area on which it sits. Ultimately, and simplistically put, the tree composition near the stream should reflect the its pre-colonization composition.
For streams within the Lake Michigan basin, trees such as white spruce, balsam fir, maples, basswood, and beaches should all be present. These trees thrive in acidic soil, converting the acids in the soil to a food source that is consumable by the organisms within the stream that feed on them. These trees are very hardy and can withstand the harsh and wide swinging temperature variations that are prevalent in the Lake Michigan basin.
Within the Lake Superior basin, the composition of trees changes to those that can withstand harshly cold conditions of the very long Lake Superior winters, while maximizing growth throughout the very short growing season. Trees that trout streams need in the Lake Superior basin are white pine, eastern hemlock, and white spruce. These trees can also thrive in the acidic soil which is very common in Wisconsin, but can grow very quickly in a short amount of time, a must have given the shortness of the Lake Superior basin growing season.
Now that we know about the effects of damaging riparian areas, as well as what it is that they need to thrive, let's go into what considerations need to be put into place to let logging and the trout streams live in peace with one another. One of the first, and easiest things to do is to identify and establish a Riparian Management Zone (RMZ). This simply sets aside a portion of land, usually between 300 to 400 feet within a stream, as a do not touch area. In the event this is not possible, or the zone cannot be established to the dimensions normally required for RMZ's, identifying and maintaining a specific ratio of trees, both in tree types and ages, can be an effective harvest management method. Spreading out harvesting times, and harvesting during drier months can reduce the impact of logging activities on trout streams. One conservation method is specific to headwater areas, which is to prevent the flow of potentially stream clogging log harvesting waste from entering the stream system. The flow of these materials can prove catastrophic not only to the trout, but to all that depend on the stream system, including people.
Roads and skid trails are another potential risk to trout streams that can quickly and easily be built and maintained in way to not cause any problems. When building a new road or skid trail, do not locate it within a natural drainage way. Also, always surface with gravel, as this reduces the flow of sediments into surrounding streams. If a heavy rain occurs, wait a couple of days before using a skid trail to reduce the creation of new drainage ways that could lead to soil erosion into stream systems.
Speaking of roads, I will touch quickly on bridges and culverts. When building a bridge over a trout stream, the bridge span should be built in such a way that the trout are not impeded. With culverts, use structural plate-arch culverts in and around trout stream areas, as they have the least impact on trout activities.
Nature has its own trout stream enemies, primarily the beaver. Beaver love to damn up streams, which as expected severely hampers trout in a beaver impacted stream. The best way to guard against this to remove aspen from the riparian areas around the stream. Aspen trees attract beaver, and the removal of these trees with greatly reduce the likelihood that beavers will move onto a trout stream.
Our past activities and observations of the impacts that logging activities have on trout streams have led to better insight with current logging management practices. Trout fishing and logging are two of the most lucrative industries in Wisconsin. In maintaining certain sustainable levels of harvesting within a riparian zone, the trout streams will be protected, logging will remain profitable, and both industries will live happily ever after.
The most aggravated area when it comes to trout streams are the riparian areas around the streams. When healthy, these riparian areas minimize temperature fluctuations reduces and sediment erosion while controlling water flow into the stream, while providing a layer of defense for protecting water quality. The most common cause for all of the above being compromised are inappropriate logging practices.
So what happens when the land around a trout stream is harvested improperly? The most obvious one is that the water temperature warms up. Trout flourish in cooler water temperatures, and a suddenly uncovered stream can see its temperature rise rapidly. Erosion is the next to occur. Without the surrounding trees and brush, soil and sediments wash into the stream. This causes a problems as trout create their nests in the gravel found at the bottom of the stream. If that sediment covers 30%-40% of the streambed, an almost complete loss of trout breeding habitat will occur.
Without the ground matter from trees and plants or the sediments to absorb water, and even the loss of the tree leaves slowing down the rate of precipitation, water flows into the streams at an unimpeded rate, increasing the flow of water in the stream. The increased water flow means a strong stream current, which makes it harder for spawning trout to swim upstream. Adding to this, the removal of brush also removes many of the stalling points in the stream, so the trout never have the chance to rest. Additionally, plant matter that enters the stream provides a food source for aquatic insects, which in turn provides a steady food supply for trout. In fact, according to a University of New Hampshire study, 99% of a streams biological energy comes from pieces of plant material that end up in the stream. Trees regulate temperature by keeping stream waters cool in the summer, while providing a layer of insulation during the colder months, thereby reducing the amount of time a stream experiences freeze over, and increasing the time that trout have to grow and strengthen for the next spawning season.
Besides providing a shaded, cool, temperature regulated environment for trout, a steady stream of food for our aquatic friends, trees are a key source of habitat for trout. Large branches in the water, as well as fallen trees, are key sources to the creation and maintenance of trout populations; the habitats that trees provide are irreplaceable. It is not just as simple as keeping a bunch of trees standing, though. Depending on what lake basin the trout stream flows into, certain species of trees must be present in order to facilitate the longevity of the stream and to maximize its positive impact on the riparian area on which it sits. Ultimately, and simplistically put, the tree composition near the stream should reflect the its pre-colonization composition.
For streams within the Lake Michigan basin, trees such as white spruce, balsam fir, maples, basswood, and beaches should all be present. These trees thrive in acidic soil, converting the acids in the soil to a food source that is consumable by the organisms within the stream that feed on them. These trees are very hardy and can withstand the harsh and wide swinging temperature variations that are prevalent in the Lake Michigan basin.
Within the Lake Superior basin, the composition of trees changes to those that can withstand harshly cold conditions of the very long Lake Superior winters, while maximizing growth throughout the very short growing season. Trees that trout streams need in the Lake Superior basin are white pine, eastern hemlock, and white spruce. These trees can also thrive in the acidic soil which is very common in Wisconsin, but can grow very quickly in a short amount of time, a must have given the shortness of the Lake Superior basin growing season.
Now that we know about the effects of damaging riparian areas, as well as what it is that they need to thrive, let's go into what considerations need to be put into place to let logging and the trout streams live in peace with one another. One of the first, and easiest things to do is to identify and establish a Riparian Management Zone (RMZ). This simply sets aside a portion of land, usually between 300 to 400 feet within a stream, as a do not touch area. In the event this is not possible, or the zone cannot be established to the dimensions normally required for RMZ's, identifying and maintaining a specific ratio of trees, both in tree types and ages, can be an effective harvest management method. Spreading out harvesting times, and harvesting during drier months can reduce the impact of logging activities on trout streams. One conservation method is specific to headwater areas, which is to prevent the flow of potentially stream clogging log harvesting waste from entering the stream system. The flow of these materials can prove catastrophic not only to the trout, but to all that depend on the stream system, including people.
Roads and skid trails are another potential risk to trout streams that can quickly and easily be built and maintained in way to not cause any problems. When building a new road or skid trail, do not locate it within a natural drainage way. Also, always surface with gravel, as this reduces the flow of sediments into surrounding streams. If a heavy rain occurs, wait a couple of days before using a skid trail to reduce the creation of new drainage ways that could lead to soil erosion into stream systems.
Speaking of roads, I will touch quickly on bridges and culverts. When building a bridge over a trout stream, the bridge span should be built in such a way that the trout are not impeded. With culverts, use structural plate-arch culverts in and around trout stream areas, as they have the least impact on trout activities.
Nature has its own trout stream enemies, primarily the beaver. Beaver love to damn up streams, which as expected severely hampers trout in a beaver impacted stream. The best way to guard against this to remove aspen from the riparian areas around the stream. Aspen trees attract beaver, and the removal of these trees with greatly reduce the likelihood that beavers will move onto a trout stream.
Our past activities and observations of the impacts that logging activities have on trout streams have led to better insight with current logging management practices. Trout fishing and logging are two of the most lucrative industries in Wisconsin. In maintaining certain sustainable levels of harvesting within a riparian zone, the trout streams will be protected, logging will remain profitable, and both industries will live happily ever after.
Hike and Learn About Nature - Introduction
When you think of hiking, what are the first things that come to mind? If you would ask a random person what they thought hiking is, would it sound something along the lines of: "Walking in nature, with a bottle of water, some snacks maybe, enjoying the sights and sounds while occasionally swatting at an unseen but very much heard buzzing sound."?
I had this thought recently as I started to prepare for the first camping trip of the season, and asked this very question to ten random people as I went through my day. All of the ten people I asked said, in essence, what I quoted in the paragraph above. A few threw in things like "Hiking sounds like it would be a good way to spend time with someone", "I hate bugs", and "I never know what it is that I see". That last sentence is the one that stuck with me the most. How many of you that hike, or those that you know or see on the trails, know what it is you are experiencing? Have you wondered what the plant is in front of you? How cool would it be to know that the plant you are staring at is not only edible, but absolutely delicious?
Learning about what is happening around you, what you are seeing, smelling, and hearing, is not only helpful from an understanding nature point of view, but can make hiking more enjoyable and rewarding. Additionally, learning about nature will come in handy should you find yourself in a predicament, whether it be an unexpected storm, confrontation with wildlife, or an injury. The knowledge you obtain from your nature lessons can be applied to life both in and out of the woods.
At the surface, learning about nature can seem daunting, overwhelming. It does not have to be so. For starters, focus on the areas in which you live and play in. Also, break things down by topics, such as trees, plants, birds, animals, and weather. Learn the basics, such as how to identify a tree by its leaves, needles, or bark, and invest in some small trail guides that you can easily reference when out and about. Studying nature is, after all, only simple understandings and observations that eventually piece themselves together until everything is clear.
This is why I created this section of my site: to guide you along the journey of education of the realm that surrounds us. The realm of nature. A realm we all belong to, live in, breathe in, and are connected to.
I had this thought recently as I started to prepare for the first camping trip of the season, and asked this very question to ten random people as I went through my day. All of the ten people I asked said, in essence, what I quoted in the paragraph above. A few threw in things like "Hiking sounds like it would be a good way to spend time with someone", "I hate bugs", and "I never know what it is that I see". That last sentence is the one that stuck with me the most. How many of you that hike, or those that you know or see on the trails, know what it is you are experiencing? Have you wondered what the plant is in front of you? How cool would it be to know that the plant you are staring at is not only edible, but absolutely delicious?
Learning about what is happening around you, what you are seeing, smelling, and hearing, is not only helpful from an understanding nature point of view, but can make hiking more enjoyable and rewarding. Additionally, learning about nature will come in handy should you find yourself in a predicament, whether it be an unexpected storm, confrontation with wildlife, or an injury. The knowledge you obtain from your nature lessons can be applied to life both in and out of the woods.
At the surface, learning about nature can seem daunting, overwhelming. It does not have to be so. For starters, focus on the areas in which you live and play in. Also, break things down by topics, such as trees, plants, birds, animals, and weather. Learn the basics, such as how to identify a tree by its leaves, needles, or bark, and invest in some small trail guides that you can easily reference when out and about. Studying nature is, after all, only simple understandings and observations that eventually piece themselves together until everything is clear.
This is why I created this section of my site: to guide you along the journey of education of the realm that surrounds us. The realm of nature. A realm we all belong to, live in, breathe in, and are connected to.