1. Riparian and Wetland Ecosystems
K.Launchbaugh
Juley Hankins-Smith
K.Launchbaugh
Riparian and Wetland Ecosystems
Rangeland principles, REM 151

2. Uplands vs. Riparian vs. Wetlands

3. Uplands
K.Launchbaugh
Uplands: drier areas on a landscape that are only wet for short periods after precipitation events.

4. Riparian
Riparian: vegetation adjacent to surface waters, such as stream banks and shorelines.
K.Launchbaugh
Greener vegetation because of water sources.
Of all the rangeland regions, riparian areas are the most ecologically important and the most sensitive to degradation. Riparian areas require special consideration in management strategies.

5. Riparian Riparian Categorization: Lotic Lotic Lentic
K.Launchbaugh
Lotic
Riparian Categorization:
Lotic
Lentic
Lotic: associated with flowing water.
Lentic: associated with standing water.
In the absence of proper management, ungulates (livestock and wild horses) can do great deal of damage to riparian areas.
Livestock, especially cattle, tend to congregate and mill about riparian areas, seldom venturing out onto the uplands. This heavy use pattern leads to extensive trampling of riparian vegetation, creating a wider, shallower, and warmer stream channel, damage to wildlife habitat, and damage to fisheries.
K.Launchbaugh

6. Wetlands
K. Launchbaugh
Wetlands: Areas with “hydric” soils that are permanently or seasonally saturated by water.
K.Launchbaugh

7. What are Healthy Riparian Area?
Vegetation and roots protect and stabilize banks
Elevated saturated zone -- increased subsurface storage of water
Increased summer streamflow
Cooler water in summer, warmer & less icy in winter
Improved habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms
High forage production and quality
High diversity of wildlife habitat

8. Healthy?
Mammoth Creek, Utah – PFC Presentation 2011

9. What are Degraded Riparian Area?
Little vegetation to protect & stabilize banks
Lowered saturated zone
Little or no summer stream flow
Warm water in summer & icy water in winter
Poor habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms
Low forage production & quality
Low diversity of wildlife habitat

10. Healthy?
N. Fork Humboldt River – PFC Presentation 2011

11. Riparian Plants – Are Important
Underestimated for potential to “control” stream systems
Large Woody Debris or Rocks/Boulders usually considered first
Plants mold the stream to fit the power of the water.

12. Root Length is Significant

13. Channel Stability Rating

14. For Example – Baltic Rush Roots

15. Beavers!

16. Beavers Herbivore Native Columbia spotted frog Omnivore Bull trout
Name
Feeding habit
Origin
Beavers
Herbivore
Native
Columbia spotted frog
Omnivore
Bull trout
Carnivore

17. Coyote or Sandbar Willow
Type
Name
Longevity
Origin
Grass-like
Baltic Rush
Perennial
Native
Nebraska Sedge
Woody
Coyote or Sandbar Willow

18. Baltic Rush Perennial Native
Seedhead located on the side of stems; below the tip.
Round stems; no joints
Few leaves at the base, not the stem
Also called wiregrass. Flowers below the tip of the plant. Few leaves = poor forage value. Strongly rhizomatous, forms solid stands. As it starts to dry, it twists which is why its called wiregrass.
Creeping rhizomes
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
University of Idaho Stillinger Herbarium (

19. Important wetland plant
Baltic Rush
Important wetland plant
K. Launchbaugh
Robert H. Mohlenbrock

20. Nebraska Sedge Perennial Native Triangular stems Male Plant
Female Plant
Named in Nebraska, but more common in the West. Monecious (both flowers on one plant) male flower on top, female flower below. Strongly rhizomatous. Nutritious plant.
Tough, thick rhizomes
Leaves arise on 3 sides of stem
University of Idaho Stillinger Herbarium (
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 423.

21. Nebraska Sedge Important riparian plant Distinctive blue leaves
Monecious = both flowers on one plant
Male Flower
Female Flower

22. Coyote (Sandbar) Willow
Perennial
Native
Long, slender leaves, tapered at both ends.
Inflorescences are caterpillar-like catkins.
Britton, N.L., and A. Brown An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 594.
University of Idaho Stillinger Herbarium (

23. Coyote (Sandbar) Willow
Important Riparian Plant
K. Launchbaugh
K. Launchbaugh
Rhizomatous.
K. Launchbaugh

24. Riparian and Wetland Ecosystems
K.Launchbaugh
Juley Hankins-Smith
K.Launchbaugh
Riparian and Wetland Ecosystems
Rangeland principles, REM 151