Responses of aquatic macroinvertebrates to stream channel reconstruction in a degraded rangeland creek in the Sierra Nevada

Published source details Herbst D.B. & Kane J.M. (2009) Responses of aquatic macroinvertebrates to stream channel reconstruction in a degraded rangeland creek in the Sierra Nevada. Ecological Restoration, 27, 76-88.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Other biodiversity: Restore habitat along watercourses Action Link

Other biodiversity: Restore habitat along watercourses

A before-and-after site comparison in 2001–2003 in a grazed riparian meadow in Bagley Valley Creek, Sierra Nevada, California, USA, found different communities of freshwater invertebrates in a restored site, compared to two reference sites. Invertebrates: Before it was restored, the restored site had fewer mayfly, stonefly, and caddisfly taxa (2000: 6–9 fewer taxa) than two reference sites (a 10-year-old restored site and a similar site with less disturbance). After it was restored, it had similar or higher numbers than the two reference sites (no data provided). Methods: To restore the site, a new channel was constructed (rocks, erosion control fabric), Salix spp. willow trees were planted, and gullies and roads in the meadow and its watershed were rehabilitated, in 2001. Invertebrates were collected from randomly selected riffle habitats in the water (three 30 x 30 cm sampling areas; D-frame net; 250 μm mesh; 30 cm width; three samples/site). Samples were collected before restoration (1999 and 2000) and after (2002 and 2003).