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Challenges Facing Riparian Ecosystems

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Presentation on theme: "Challenges Facing Riparian Ecosystems"— Presentation transcript:

1 Challenges Facing Riparian Ecosystems
Stan Culling 9/18/2018

2 Introduction Riparian areas defined: Complexity of riparian vegetation
Most productive areas of a region High edge to area ratio 9/18/2018

3 Biotic Importance Microhabitat diversity provide Nesting sites
Thermal cover Migration routes Water Food Cover 9/18/2018

4 Loss of Riparian Habitat
Increased water temperatures Reduced channel stabilization Increases fluctuation and intensity of flow and flood regimes Results in loss of species diversity 9/18/2018

5 Types of Change and Results
Challenges to the integrity of these lotic systems include: Devegetation Silviculture Agriculture Grazing Urbanization Water projects Dams Channelization Hydro-electric generation Recreation 9/18/2018

6 Types of Change and Results Con’t
Short-term catastrophic disturbances Floods Logging Construction Point source pollution 9/18/2018

7 Types of Change and Results Con’t
Sustained disturbances Agriculture Grazing Logging 9/18/2018

8 Livestock Impacts 273 million acres grazed on public lands
150 million acres grazed on Government land High densities of cattle in or around riparian zones Seek out cover,water,forage 9/18/2018

9 Livestock Impacts Con’t
Sings of cattle damage Vegetation reduction Wider,shallower streams Increased nutrient and sediment loads Bacterial outbreaks Bank trampling Increases soil compaction Inhibits root growth Increases runoff Decreases water availability to plants 9/18/2018

10 Management Managed separately Different stocking rates and periods
Implementation of fencing Seasonality of grazing and herding Monitoring 9/18/2018

11 Management Con’t Results of various management Decreased channel width
Increased bank stabilization Re-growth of native vegetation Decrease in fine sediment Decrease in temperature 9/18/2018


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