Coarse Woody Debris in Lakes and Streams

Abstract

Coarse woody debris (coarse woody habitat, large woody debris) is a natural feature of many lakes, rivers, and streams. This article provides an overview of (1) sources of coarse woody debris to aquatic ecosystems, (2) loss of coarse woody debris from aquatic ecosystems, (3) physical and hydraulic role of coarse woody debris, (4) nutrient properties and primary production associated with coarse woody debris, (5) coarse woody debris and secondary production, (6) coarse woody debris and fishes, (7) coarse woody debris and other organisms, (8) riparian forest/coarse woody debris/aquatic food web models, (9) ecosystem-scale coarse woody debris experiments, and (10) temporal dynamics and coarse woody debris restoration. This article primarily focuses on the less understood role of coarse woody debris in lakes, yet integrates and synthesizes studies of the better understood role of coarse woody debris in rivers and streams to compare and contrast coarse woody debris function among aquatic ecosystems. The article places large emphasis on human dimensions of coarse woody debris and provides recommendations for management and restoration of coarse woody debris in aquatic ecosystems.