Contact: Trevor Jones
Riparian zones are the transition areas between land and water, and they support ecosystems that need special consideration during forest management planning.
Researchers are determining the effects of changes in nearshore fish habitat by removing all the coarse woody debris (fallen trees) lying along a lake shoreline north of Sault Ste. Marie. They are evaluating effects on lake water quality; fish species composition, biomass, reproduction, and distribution; riparian zone tree mortality rates and patterns; and coarse wood input rates into lakes.
Results will reveal more about how human activities in riparian zones affect fish habitat quality and populations and support MNR’s policies for managing riparian zones.
