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Importance of Low-flow and High-flow Characteristics for Riparian Vegetation Restoration in Arid South-western United St

This overview highlights the significance of low-flow and high-flow characteristics for the restoration of riparian vegetation along rivers in the arid south-western region of the United States. It discusses the climate, human impact, and the role of riparian vegetation as an indicator of stream health. The article also emphasizes the variation in vegetation between low-flow and high-flow periods and provides recommendations for restoration practices within natural limits.

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Importance of Low-flow and High-flow Characteristics for Riparian Vegetation Restoration in Arid South-western United St

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  1. Importance of low-flow and high-flow characteristics to restoration of riparian vegetation along rivers in arid south-western United States Stromberg et al., 2007, Overview of Riparian Vegetation Restoration in Western U.S.

  2. Overview • Rivers in the south west • Low-flow vs. high-flow • Riparian vegetation in the south west • Restoration

  3. Rivers in the South West

  4. Climate • Arid, low precipitation • Flooding • No-flow periods • Varied ground water

  5. Human Impact • Heavily irrigated

  6. Human Impact • Damming

  7. Compared to the North-west • Far less recharge • No focus on fish • Rivers effect the plants and animals • Riparian vegetation used as indicator

  8. Low-flow vs. High-flow

  9. Low-flow • State of the rivers majority of the time • Natural fluctuations • Flow can be depleted by humans

  10. High-flow • Naturally occurs • Wet periods • Floods • Can be sustained by human intervention

  11. Riparian Vegetation

  12. Indicator of Health • Stream health correlates with vegetation • Vegetation reflects stream health • Analogues with fish in other reigons

  13. Variation Low-flow • Drought resistant • Salt resistant • Scrub/shrub • Low biomass • Low diversity High-Flow • Pioneer Wetland species • High biomass • High diversity

  14. Variation • Both are natural • Cant force high-flow • Flooding=variation

  15. Restoration

  16. Restoration • Patch diversity • Encourage flooding • Stay within natural limits • Balance human interaction

  17. Thank You

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