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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #164117
Title: THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES ON WILLOW PLANTING SUCCESS

Author
item LOWSON, KATHERINE - OREGON STATE UNIV
item BUCKHOUSE, JOHN - OREGON STATE UNIV
item STRINGHAM, TAMZEN - OREGON STATE UNIV
item Boyd, Chad

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2003
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Willow species can be a critical factor in maintaining streambank stability through sediment and debris capture and the dissipation of the energy of overland flows. Investigation of where willow cuttings successfully establish with respect to streambank morphology will improve our ability to anticipate willow and stream channel responses to management changes. This improved understanding will aid in developing management strategies compatible with stream system capabilities. We examined the influence of environmental variables on success of planted Booth's willow (Salix boothii) cuttings along a Rosgen C-type stream in an eastern Oregon meadow. We hypothesized that depth to water table and percent soil moisture throughout the growing season would significantly influence willow survival and growth, and that survival would be higher on point bar locations. Willow cuttings were planted on two morphological locations (i.e. point bar and floodplain) in May of 2002 and 2003, and data were collected periodically during the growing season, May through September, in both years. Soil moisture content at point bar locations was significantly greater than that of floodplain locations for the majority of the growing season, and willow survival was significantly higher for point bar locations than floodplain locations. Our results suggest that planting in point bar locations will increase planting success.

Technical Abstract: Willow species can be a critical factor in maintaining streambank stability through sediment and debris capture and the dissipation of the energy of overland flows. Investigation of where willow cuttings successfully establish with respect to streambank morphology will improve our ability to anticipate willow and stream channel responses to management changes. This improved understanding will aid in developing management strategies compatible with stream system capabilities. We examined the influence of environmental variables on success of planted Booth's willow (Salix boothii) cuttings along a Rosgen C-type stream in an eastern Oregon meadow. We hypothesized that depth to water table and percent soil moisture throughout the growing season would significantly influence willow survival and growth, and that survival would be higher on point bar locations. Willow cuttings were planted on two morphological locations (i.e. point bar and floodplain) in May of 2002 and 2003, and data were collected periodically during the growing season, May through September, in both years. Soil moisture content at point bar locations was significantly greater than that of floodplain locations for the majority of the growing season, and willow survival was significantly higher for point bar locations than floodplain locations. Our results suggest that planting in point bar locations will increase planting success.