Abstract
MOUNTAIN river networks often consist of both bedrock and alluvial channels1–5, the spatial distribution of which controls several fundamental geomorphological and ecological processes6,7. The nature of river channels can influence the rates of river incision and landscape evolution1,2, as well as the stream habitat characteristics affecting species abundance and aquatic ecosystem structure8–11. Studies of the factors controlling the distribution of bedrock and alluvial channels have hitherto been limited to anthropogenic badlands12. Here we investigate the distribution of channel types in forested mountain drainage basins, and show that the occurrence of bedrock and alluvial channels can be described by a threshold model relating local sediment transport capacity to sediment supply. In addition, we find that valley-spanning log jams create alluvial channels— hospitable to aquatic life—in what would otherwise be bedrock reaches. The formation of such jams depends critically on the stabilizing presence of logs derived from the largest trees in the riverside forests, suggesting that management strategies that allow harvesting of such trees can have a devastating influence on alluvial habitats in mountain drainage basins.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Seidl, M. A. & Dietrich, W. E. in Functional Geomorphology: Landform Analysis and Models (eds Schmidt, K.-H. & de Ploey, J.) 101–124 (Catena suppl. 23, Cremlingen-Destedt, 1992).
Howard, A. D., Dietrich, W. E. & Seidl, M. A. J. geophys. Res. 99, 13971–13986 (1994).
Brush, L. M. Jr US Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 282-F (1961).
Miller, J. R. J. Geol. 99, 591–605 (1991).
Wohl, E. E. J. Geol. 101, 749–761 (1993).
Richards, K. Rivers: Form and Process in Alluvial Channels (Methuen, New York, 1982).
Hynes, H. B. N. The Ecology of Running Waters (Univ. Toronto Press, Toronto, 1970).
Minshall, G. W. Hydrobiologia 32, 305–339 (1968).
Cummins, K. W. & Lauff, G. H. Hydrobiologia 34, 145–181 (1969).
Huryn, A. D. & Wallace, A. B. Ecology 68, 1932–1942 (1987).
Kondolf, G. M. & Wolman, M. G. Wat. Resour. Res. 29, 2275–2285 (1993).
Howard, A. D. & Kerby, G. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 94, 739–752 (1983).
Gilbert, G. K. Geology of the Henry Mountains (US Geog. and Geol. Survey, Govt Print Office, Washington, 1877).
Gilbert, G. K. US Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 86 (Govt Print Office, Washington, 1914).
Kirkby, M. J. in Inst Br. Geogr. Sp. Publ. No. 3 (1971).
Logan, R. L. Geologic Map of the South Half of the Shelton and South Half of the Copalis Beach Quadrangles, Washington (Open File Report 87-9, Washington Div. Geol. and Earth Resources, 1987).
Walsh, T. J., Korosec, M. A., Phillips, W. M., Logan, R. L. & Schasse, H. W. Geologic Map of Washington—Southwest Quadrant (Geologic Map GM-34, Washington Div. Geol. and Earth Resources, 1987).
Scott, J. W., Vasquez, C. R., Newman, J. G. & Sarjean, B. C. Washington: A Centennial Atlas (Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Washington Univ., Bellingham, 1989).
Franklin, J. F. & Dyrness, C. T. Natural Vegetation of Oregon and Washington (Oregon State Univ. Press, 1988).
Sedell, J. R., Leone, F. N. & Duval, W. S. in Influences of Forest and Rangeland Management on Salmonid Fishes and Their Habitats (ed. Meehan, W. R.) 325–368 (Am. Fish. Soc., Bethedsa, 1991).
Sedell, J. R., Swanson, F. J. & Gregory, S. V. in Proc. Pacific Northwest Stream Habitat Management Workship (ed. Hassler, T. J.) 225–245 (Humboldt State University, Arcata, 1984).
Buffington, J. M. thesis, Univ. of Washington, Seattle (1995).
Benda, L. E. thesis, Univ. of Washington, Seattle (1994).
Montgomery, D. R., Grant, G. E. & Sullivan, K. Wat. Resour. Bull. 31, 369–386 (1995).
Swanson, F. J. & Lienkaemper, G. W. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-69 (1978).
Harmon, M. E. et al. Adv. ecol. Res. 15, 133–302 (1986).
Abbe, T. B. & Montgomery, D. R. Reg. Riv.: Res. & Manag. 12, 201–221 (1996).
Keller, E. A. & Swanson, F. J. Earth Surf. Proc. 4, 361–380 (1979).
Lisle, T. E. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 97, 999–1011 (1986).
Montgomery, D. R., Buffington, J. M., Smith, R., Schmidt, K. M. & Pess, G. Wat. Resour. Res. 31, 1097–1105 (1995).
Keller, E. A. & Tally, T. in Adjustments of the Fluvial System (eds Rhodes, D. D. & Williams, G. P.) 169–197 (Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, 1979).
Marston, R. A. Ann. Am. Assoc. Geog. 72, 99–108 (1982).
Oregon Department of Forestry Forest Practices Water Protection Rules ORS Ch. 527.710, OAR Ch. 629-57-2240, 629-57-2260 (1994).
Adminsitrative code 222-30-020 (3) (Washington Univ., 1995).
Howard, A. D. in Thresholds in Geomorphology (eds Coates, D. R. &-Vitek, J. D.) 227–258 (Alien & Unwin, London, 1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Montgomery, D., Abbe, T., Buffington, J. et al. Distribution of bedrock and alluvial channels in forested mountain drainage basins. Nature 381, 587–589 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/381587a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/381587a0
This article is cited by
-
Characteristics of streambed morphology at reach and unit scales in a sandstone-dominated headstream area of the Kantō Range
Limnology (2022)
-
Comparison of length and dynamics of wood pieces in streams covered with coniferous and broadleaf forests mapped using orthophotos acquired by an unmanned aerial vehicle
Progress in Earth and Planetary Science (2021)
-
Drainage Pattern and its Bearing on Relative Active Tectonics of a Region: A Study in the Son Valley, Central India
Journal of the Geological Society of India (2019)
-
Impacts of small woody debris on slurrying, persistence, and propagation in a low-gradient channel of the Dongyuege debris flow in Nu River, Southwest China
Landslides (2018)
-
River beads as a conceptual framework for building carbon storage and resilience to extreme climate events into river management
Biogeochemistry (2018)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.