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.

粗木质残体（Coarse woody debris，CWD）是湖泊生态系统中一类重要却常被忽视的组成部分。其具备重要生态价值，可构建沿岸生境复杂性，但易受河岸过程影响，尤其易被业主移除。本研究旨在明确驱动粗木质残体输入与输出动态的人类及环境因子的空间尺度。研究于1996年与1997年，对NTL-LTER站点的5个湖泊（特劳特湖、阿莱夸什湖（北盆地）、斯帕克林湖、克里斯塔尔湖及大马斯凯尔隆吉湖）周边的粗木质残体、船坞及潜在可成为粗木质残体的河岸树木开展了测量。研究采用定性岸线开发指数（Shoreline Development Index，SDI）对岸线特征进行表征，该指数共分为5个等级：(1) 已开发且无河岸树木（即草坪、船舶下水坡道）；(2) 树木稀疏且间距较大；(3) 分布部分河岸树木与下层植被；(4) 具备可观的森林覆盖；(5) 未开发且植被茂密。所有5个湖泊的调查均于1996年6-7月完成，端点位置通过超过30个dGPS点位确定，随后将岸线数据划分为10米的分段。