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Some Thermal and Biological Effects of Forest Cutting in West Virginia¹

ABSTRACT

Water temperatures, benthic fauna, and aquatic insect emergence were observed in four small watersheds to document the effects of forest cutting. During the summer months, complete cutting caused mean temperature increases > 4C, and maximum temperature increases > 9C. The changes diminished to about one-half after 3 years of natural hardwood regeneration. Complete cutting more than tripled the mean weekly range of stream temperature during summer, and decreased mean minimum temperatures during winter months by about 2C. Two orders, Diptera and Pelecypoda, accounted for most of the benthic biomass in watershed weir ponds; the former predominated in clear-cut watershed ponds, and the latter in a control (forested area) pond. The control pond produced by far the highest total numbers and biomass of benthic fauna, and the greatest numbers of aquatic insects.

Key Words: timber harvesting • water quality • stream temperatures • aquatic insects • benthic fauna • aquatic ecology • chemical temperature integration • small watersheds

¹ Sci. Article No. 1395, Agric. Exp. Stn., West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV 26506. The study was supported by a special grant from the USDA, and was conducted on National Forest Land with the cooperation of the U. S. For. Serv.

² Professor of Forest Hydrology, and Associate Professor of Wildlife Biology, Div. of Forestry, West Virginia Univ.

Received for publication July 8, 1975.