geomorphology – envirobites

Sending ripples through environments: a new type of keystone species

August 14, 2020August 14, 2020 Garrett Frandson 0 Comments geomorphology, keystone species, stream ecology, Trees

Keystone species have ripple effects on the other organisms in their environments, but do any species have similar effects on the environment itself? The idea of a biogeomorphic keystone species captures this idea and, like that of keystone species, requires piecing together a complex web of interactions to understand the big picture. Two researchers in Kentucky present how two tree species have strong effects on their local stream environments, qualifying them as potential biogeomorphic keystone species.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

History and Science; An Essential Duet for River Conservation

February 3, 2020February 5, 2020 Mary Grace Lemon 0 Comments geomorphology, rivers

Recently I was down by the Mississippi River with a friend when he remarked, “Look at that tree!” A 30 foot log was barreling downstream in the middle of the 1 mile wide river channel bouncing along the many eddies created by the rushing, brown water. I had heard about large wood rafts that historically clogged up the Red River in Louisiana and many rivers around the world. I tried to imagine what thousands of 30 foot logs floating in the river together would look like and I didn’t get very far before I googled “The Great Raft.” The old images of a massive log jam displayed on my phone were beyond anything I could have imagined.