Ice Storms, Tree Throw and Hillslope Sediment Transport in Northern Hardwood Forests

Megan Dams

 

Study Area:

Mt. Toby/Roaring Brook, Massachusetts

 

Highlights:

– Tree throw promotes efficient hillslope evolution in northern temperate forests.
– Extension tree throw and fallen trees documented in response to the December 2008 Ice Storm
– Areas of mature hemlock trees and steep slopes were most susceptible to tree throw
– Trees preferentially fall downhill due to ice loading and cascades are common
– Storm recurrence, forest age and slope determine hillslope sediment transport rates

 

UConn Researchers:

Will Ouimet

 

Amherst College Undergraduate Researchers:

Mark Hellmer, ’13

Bernardo Rios, ’13

Tom Sibley, ’11

 

Related Publications:

Hellmer, M., Rios, B., and Ouimet, W., (In Review), Ice Storms, Tree Throw and Hillslope Sediment Transport in Northern Hardwood Forests, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

 

Related Abstracts:

Ouimet, W., Hellmer, M. and Rios, B., 2013, Ice Storms, Tree Throw and Hillslope Sediment Transport on Mt. Toby, Western Massachusetts, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 45, No. 1, p.101 – presented at the GSA Northeastern Section Annual Meeting, Bretton Woods, NH, 18–20 March, 2013