We experimentally harvested the riparian zones of Little Pokegama Creek, northern Minnesota. We then measured the impacts of those harvests on benthic macroinvertebrates over four years. Three replicates of four riparian treatments were compared using a randomized block design. One year s data collected prior to harvest was combined with three years data following treatment.
Results demonstrate increases in fine sediment and intolerant taxa.
Differences were also seen in the full tree riparian harvest treatment, although they were not significant. True controls, with both the riparian and uplands uncut, also showed significant differences. Post harvest decreases in EPT at all treatment sites and control sites may imply that system wide impacts have a larger influence than immediate riparian condition on invertebrate communities.