PARTNERS: North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR), North Carolina State University (NCSU), Weyerhaeuser

SUMMARY: Over the last twenty years, research has shown that Best Management Practices (BMPs) are effective management tools for reducing non-point source pollution generated during timber harvest and production. Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) are widely regarded as the most effective element of BMPs for protecting water quality at the watershed scale. This research spans several areas of the country including New England, Lake States, Appalachian Plateau, Ridge and Valley, Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain. Although SMZ effectiveness has been evaluated in the piedmont of Georgia and other states, a literature review suggests that scientific data on the effectiveness and benefit of SMZs are lacking in the piedmont region of NC. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to quantify the effects of upland forest harvesting and SMZs on soil erosion and water quality in forested headwater watersheds in the piedmont of NC. This objective will be achieved in two phases: Phase I – Pre-harvest monitoring, 2008 to 2010; and Phase II – Post-harvest monitoring, 2010 to 2013. Pre-harvest data has to be collected to generate a predictive model of stream discharge and other variables. To date, these pre-harvest data suggest that the paired watersheds in this study are meeting many of the assumptions required to develop a good-fit/predictive model. Final data analysis will be incorporated with existing literature to develop operational models that land managers and timber companies can use for designing forest SMZs in NC. In cooperation with partners, additional pre and post harvest in-stream and watershed components will be assessed including groundwater hydrology, surface water temperature, oxygen isotopic signatures (16O & 18O), and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance.

STATUS: Ongoing

PROGRESS:

Boggs, J.L., G. Sun, W. Summer, S.G. McNulty, W. Swartley, E. Treasure. 2008. Effectiveness of streamside management zones on water quality: pretreatment measurements. In: Proceedings of 2008 American Water Resources Association Summer Specialty Conference on Riparian Ecosystem and Buffers: Working at the Water’s Edge. June 30-July 2, 2008. Virginia Beach, VA. (PDF)

LINKS:

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources

North Carolina State University

Weyerhaeuser

CONTACT: Johnny Boggs, EFETAC Southern Global Change Program Biological Scientist, jboggs@ncsu.edu or 919-513-2973