Riparian forest communities and their role in nutrient conservation in an agricultural watershed

1987 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 114-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph L. Fail ◽  
Bruce L. Haines ◽  
Robert L. Todd
Keyword(s):  
Woody Plants ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Production Rates ◽  
Accretion Rates ◽  
Agricultural Areas

AbstractRiparian forests situated adjacent to agricultural uplands were studied to test the hypothesis that riparian forests intercept and utilize nutrients lost from these uplands. Production rates, tissue nutrient concentrations, and nutrient accretion rates of woody plants were compared between sites that were contiguous to agricultural areas (test sites) and sites that were separated from agricultural areas by grass buffer zones (reference sites). Net primary production was 10,344 kg ha–1yr–1, but trees within a riparian forest that received runoff directly from a pigpen (test site) had production rates that were 2.5 times higher than the average for all other sites. Above ground forest nutrient accretion rates were also highest at the pigpen test site. Woody plants in test site forests had, on the average, higher branch wood and leaf nutrient concentrations than plants in reference site forests. The data provide evidence that riparian forest communities within agricultural environments absorb and retain nutrients lost from agricultural uplands. As such they are important components of agricultural ecosystems helping to maintain acceptable stream water quality. It is suggested that ecologically sound agricultural practice should include longterm maintenance of natural riparian vegetation zones within agricultural areas.

scholarly journals Flood disturbance affects morphology and reproduction of woody riparian plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Fischer ◽  
Joe Greet ◽  
Christopher Walsh ◽  
Jane Catford
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Asexual Reproduction ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Flood Disturbance ◽  
Riparian Plants ◽  
Flood Regime ◽  
Sexual And Asexual Reproduction

Abstract Riparian forests are structured and maintained by their hydrology. Woody riparian plants typically adapt to the local flood regime to maximise their likelihood of survival and reproductive success. Understanding how extant trees form and reproduce in response to flood disturbance is crucial for predicting vegetation changes and informing restoration. Working in a temperate evergreen riparian forest, we aim to determine whether disturbance-based responses of plants found in other ecosystems also typify woody plants in riparian forests where disturbances are non-lethal, annual events. Using plant surveys and 20-year modelled hydrological data, we examined whether i) the morphology (main stem diameter, height, crown width, crown extent, stem leaning) and ii) reproduction type (sexual and asexual reproduction) and extent of three dominant woody species (Eucalyptus camphora, Leptospermum lanigerum and Melaleuca squarrosa) vary with flood regime (flood frequency and flood duration); and iii) whether different morphology is associated with different reproductive strategies. Increased flooding generally resulted in increased stem numbers and greater stem leaning – morphologies associated with asexual reproduction – of our study species. More frequent flooding also reduced plant size and sexual reproduction in E. camphora. Sexual reproduction in the studied species was more common in taller plants with single, more upright stems in good condition. Flexible morphology and plastic reproductive strategy may constitute an adaptation to mild or chronic disturbance in floodplains. Our findings suggest that woody plants respond to physical disturbance in consistent ways regardless of the nature of the disturbance – be it fires, hurricanes or floods.

scholarly journals Water-use dynamics of an alien-invaded riparian forest within the Mediterranean climate zone of the Western Cape, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 4551-4562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce C. Scott-Shaw ◽  
Colin S. Everson ◽  
Alistair D. Clulow
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Sap Flow ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Ratio Method ◽  
Natural State ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract. In South Africa, the invasion of riparian forests by alien trees has the potential to affect the country's limited water resources. Tree water-use measurements have therefore become an important component of recent hydrological studies. It is difficult for South African government initiatives, such as the Working for Water (WfW) alien clearing program, to justify alien tree removal and implement rehabilitation unless hydrological benefits are known. Consequently, water use within a riparian forest along the Buffeljags River in the Western Cape of South Africa was monitored over a 3-year period. The site consisted of an indigenous stand of Western Cape afrotemperate forest adjacent to a large stand of introduced Acacia mearnsii. The heat ratio method of the heat pulse velocity sap flow technique was used to measure the sap flow of a selection of indigenous species in the indigenous stand, a selection of A. mearnsii trees in the alien stand and two clusters of indigenous species within the alien stand. The indigenous trees in the alien stand at Buffeljags River showed significant intraspecific differences in the daily sap flow rates varying from 15 to 32 L day−1 in summer (sap flow being directly proportional to tree size). In winter (June), this was reduced to only 7 L day−1 when limited energy was available to drive the transpiration process. The water use in the A. mearnsii trees showed peaks in transpiration during the months of March 2012, September 2012 and February 2013. These periods had high average temperatures, rainfall and high daily vapor pressure deficits (VPDs – average of 1.26 kPa). The average daily sap flow ranged from 25 to 35 L in summer and approximately 10 L in the winter. The combined accumulated daily sap flow per year for the three Vepris lanceolata and three A. mearnsii trees was 5700 and 9200 L, respectively, clearly demonstrating the higher water use of the introduced Acacia trees during the winter months. After spatially upscaling the findings, it was concluded that, annually, the alien stand used nearly 6 times more water per unit area than the indigenous stand (585 mm a−1 compared to 101 mm a−1). This finding indicates that there would be a gain in groundwater recharge and/or streamflow if the alien species are removed from riparian forests and rehabilitated back to their natural state.

Relationship between Morphology and Trophic Ecology in an Assemblage of Passerine Birds in Riparian Forests of the Paraná River (Argentina)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Quiroga ◽  
Rodrigo E. Lorenzón ◽  
Gisela Maglier ◽  
Ana L. Ronchi-Virgolini
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Paraná River ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Phylogenetic Constraint ◽  
Parana River ◽  
Coexisting Species

We describe the ecomorphology of an assemblage of bird species found in riparian forests of the Middle Paraná River, Argentina. We sought to determine (1) the more important morphological characteristics that separate coexisting species, (2) whether such separation was related to the trophic ecology of each species and (3) whether a priori guilds showed morphological similarity. We tested the hypotheses that (a) a species’ morphology is related to the trophic ecology of that species and (b) that species of a priori guilds are morphometrically more similar to each other than to species of different a priori guilds. For this, we considered an assemblage of 29 species of birds from riparian forest that were sampled with mist nets during the 2011 and 2014 breeding seasons. We obtained morphometric measurements of captured individuals and supplemented those data with measurements from museum specimens. Trophic characterisation (diet and trophic microhabitat) was based on a literature review. Results showed a separation of bird species as a function of variables related to trophic ecology (diets and trophic microhabitats) and morphology. After controlling for phylogenetic constraint, species’ morphology partially reflected the trophic ecology of the species, supporting the central hypothesis of the ecomorphological discipline and showing that the use of trophic and morphometric data provides complementary data to improve the guild organisation of riparian bird assemblages.

Wyniki oznaczeń taksonomicznych szczątków drewna

2020 ◽  
pp. 105-106
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Skrzyński
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
The Other ◽  
Taxonomic Identification ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
Przeworsk Culture ◽  
High Share

A number of samples collected during exploration of archaeological features from the Przeworsk culture cremation cemetery were submitted for xylological examination. The samples contained poorly preserved charred remains of wood, which were subjected to taxonomic identification. Anthracological analyses allowed four taxa of woody plants to be identified, with the predominant share of remains belonging to Scots pine Pinus sylvestris. The high share of pine wood fragments may indicate selective acquisition of this species as a material for building funeral pyres. On the other hand, it may reflect the widespread occurrence of this species in the nearby forest communities, which were shaped by human activity.

Selection of arboreal species to compose and remedy riparian forests next to agricultural areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca de Araújo Fiore ◽  
José Barbosa dos Santos ◽  
Evander Alves Ferreira ◽  
Cássia Michelle Cabral ◽  
Marcelo Laia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Selection Of

Effects of small changes in riparian forest complexity on aquatic insect bioindicators in Brazilian subtropical streams

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 519 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Siegloch ◽  
R. Schmitt ◽  
M. Spies ◽  
M. Petrucio ◽  
M. I. M. Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Environmental Gradient ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Aquatic Insect ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Protection Area

Riparian forests have positive effects on water quality and biodiversity. However, most studies have only tested the effects of distinct vegetation types or streams with and without forests, despite the fact that riparian forests differ in degrees of complexity. The aim of the present study was to test whether riparian forest complexity affected the composition and abundance of the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa across a small environmental gradient. We also measured whether EPT genera or feeding groups responded to changes in riparian forest complexity. The study was conducted in two protection areas (i.e. Lagoa do Peri Municipal Park, PERI; and the Permanent Protection Area of Ratones, RAT) of Santa Catarina Island, Brazil. Primary production increased in streams with lower canopy percentage, and EPT assemblages differed among streams with different riparian forest complexity. In RAT, the water quality and forest variables affected EPT composition; however, in PERI, only water quality variables were important. Indicator species analysis based on genera suggested Kempnyia (Plecoptera) and Zelusia (Ephemeroptera) to be indicative of streams with greater forest complexity, whereas Farrodes (Ephemeroptera) was significant in streams of intermediate riparian forest complexity; however, no one functional group dominated. The results of the present study show that small changes in riparian forest complexity influence the composition of EPT insects in subtropical streams.

scholarly journals The Western Maine Coastal Current reduces primary production rates, zooplankton abundance and benthic nutrient fluxes in Massachusetts Bay

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1158-1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Conor McManus ◽  
Candace A. Oviatt ◽  
Anne E. Giblin ◽  
Jane Tucker ◽  
Jefferson T. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Sediment Oxygen Demand ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Coastal Current ◽  
Zooplankton Abundance ◽  
Massachusetts Bay ◽  
Production Rates ◽  
Annual Primary Production

Abstract Primary production was measured from 1992–2010 in Massachusetts Bay and just outside Boston Harbor for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's outfall monitoring program. In 2003, annual primary production decreased by 221–278 g C m−2 year−1, with decreased rates continuing through 2010. Based on a conceptual model, oceanographic and meteorological variables were analysed with production rates to determine if concurrent environmental changes were responsible for the reduced primary production in Massachusetts Bay. Results indicated that a stronger influx of low salinity water from the Western Maine Coastal Current (WMCC) in recent years might be responsible for the decreases. The WMCC appeared to have become fresher due to increased river discharge in the western Gulf of Maine. Northeasterly winds in recent years promoted the WMCC intrusion into Massachusetts Bay. Correlation between primary production and surface salinities suggested an impact of the WMCC on production rates. We hypothesized that increased stratification resulted in reduced vertical mixing and reduced nutrient concentrations in surface waters for phytoplankton growth. However, no significant correlations were observed between the annual primary production and nutrient concentrations in Massachusetts Bay. Reduced production rates in Massachusetts Bay have, however, been associated with reduced zooplankton abundances, benthic ammonium fluxes and sediment oxygen demand in summer months.

scholarly journals The Importance of Riparian Forest Cover to the Ecological Status of Agricultural Streams in a Nationwide Assessment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikko Tolkkinen ◽  
Saku Vaarala ◽  
Jukka Aroviita
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Riparian Forests ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Positive Effect

AbstractForested riparian corridors are a key management solution for halting the global trend of declining ecological status of freshwater ecosystems. There is an increasing body of evidence related to the efficacy of these corridors at the local scale, but knowledge is inadequate concerning the effectiveness of riparian forests in terms of protecting streams from harmful impacts across larger scales. In this study, nationwide assessment results comprising more than 900 river water bodies in Finland were used to examine the importance of adjacent land use to river ecological status estimates. Random forest models and partial dependence functions were used to quantify the independent effect of adjacent land use on river ecological status after accounting for the effects of other factors. The proportion of adjacent forested land along a river had the strongest independent positive effect on ecological status for small to medium size rivers that were in agricultural landscapes. Ecological quality increased by almost one status class when the adjacent forest cover increased from 10 to 60%. In contrast, for large rivers, adjacent forested land did not show an independent positive effect on ecological status. This study has major implications for managing river basins to achieve the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) goal of obtaining good ecological status of rivers. The results from the nationwide assessment demonstrate that forested riparian zones can have an independent positive effect on the ecological status of rivers, indicating the importance of riparian forests in mitigating the impacts of catchment-level stressors. Therefore, forested buffer zones should be more strongly considered as part of river basin management.

scholarly journals ZONAL FOREST COMMUNITIES AND FOREST ZONING OF WESTERN SIBERIA (RUSSIA)

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Al A. Myasnikov
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Western Siberia ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Forest Distribution ◽  
The Given

Forests of Siberia are heterogeneous in species composition, productivity, types and nature of renewability. They are also heterogeneous in patterns of forest distribution on different categories of land, marshes, bare mountains, meadows and percentage of forest cover. This research investigates the main types of woody plants and geographical distribution of forest communities in Western Siberia. The forest zoning of Western Siberia was analyzed to reveal the features of zonal formation of forest biogeocenoses. Forest zoning and ecological and economic assessment of the productivity of forest communities within zones and regions make the basis for outlining the strategic priorities in the given territory, and help to develop a system of forestry and timber processing activities aimed to improve ecological and economic efficiency of forest resources.

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