North Temperate Lakes LTER Northern Highland Lake District Coarse Woody Debris Shoreline Development Index

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is an important, but often neglected, component of lake
ecosystems. It is ecologically valuable because it creates littoral habitat
complexity but it is susceptible to manipulation by riparian process, in particular
removal by property owners. The objective of this study is to determine the spatial
scales at which human and environmental factors contribute to coarse woody debris
input and output dynamics. Coarse woody debris, boat docks, and riparian trees (with
the potential of becoming CWD) around the five lakes of the NTL-LTER site (Trout
Lake, Allequash Lake (north basin), Sparkling Lake, Crystal Lake, and Big
Muskellunge Lake) were measured in 1996 and 1997. Shorelines were characterized
using a qualitative shoreline development index (SDI). The index included: (1)
developed and devoid of riparian trees (i.e. lawn, boat launch), (2) few widely
spaced trees, (3) some riparian trees and some understory, (4) substantial forest
cover, and (5) undeveloped and heavily forested. All 5 lakes were surveyed in
June/July 1996. Endpoint positions were determined by greater than 30 dGPS points.
Shoreline data were subsequently divided into 10 m segments.