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Title: Pattern of Woody Species Establishment on Point Bars on the Middle Sacramento River, California |
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Abstract/Description: Riparian forest is a dynamic vegetation type that is shaped by a complex interaction between
fluvial and ecological processes (Thompson 1961, Leopold et al. 1964, McBride and Strahan 1984,
Strahan 1984, Harris 1987, Cepello 1991, Gregory et al. 1991, Griggs and Small 2001). Channel
movement and sediment deposition initiate a succession sequence that begins with pioneer species
on bare surfaces, typically point bars (McBride and Strahan 1984, Strahan 1984, Cepello 1991). In
western North America, this woody pioneer community is dominated by cottonwoods and willows
(Braatne et al. 1996). Establishment of these species is controlled by a combination of factors:
creation of appropriate substrate for germination, timing of seed dispersal, adequate subsurface
moisture, and site stablility (Braatne et al. 1996, Mahoney and Rood 1998). Where channel
movement occurs frequently, riparian forest vegetation tends to be dominated by mature
cottonwoods and willows. Farther from the channel, or on landforms that have not experienced an
active channel for many decades, riparian forest tends to develop into one dominated by valley oak
and elderberry (Strahan 1984, Chapin et al. 2002). The process from point bar seedlings to mature
cottonwoods and willows on a stable floodplain can take as little as 50 years in the Central Valley
of California (Griggs and Small 2001). However, early establishment does not necessarily ensure
that succession will proceed to a mature forest. Scouring flows or river avulsion can eliminate all
young vegetation from a developing point bar and reset the succession clock.
Associated Projects:
Non-Aeration Feasibility Studies Criteria Evaluation for the San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL, Peer Review of San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Studies, Peer Review of San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Studies, Peer Review of San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Studies, Peer Review of San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Studies, Non-Aeration Feasibility Studies Criteria Evaluation for the San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL
Main Subjects:
Habitat / Species
Specific Subjects:
plants
Species Keywords:
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| Publication & Citation |
Author(s):
David Wood
Contributor(s):
Mike Roberts
Citation:
Wood, D.M. 2003a. Pattern of woody species establishment on point bars of the middle Sacramento River, California. Report to The Nature Conservancy. Available at http://www.sacramentoriverportal.org
Publisher:
The Nature Conservancy
Publication Date:
December
31,
2002
Currentness:
Funder(s):
The Nature Conservancy
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| Format & Access |
Information Resource Type:
(Documents)
Media Type / Format:
Computer File
Access Limitations:
Public
Use Limitations:
No Limitations
To Obtain:
Open/Download (off-site link)
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| Location Information |
Cities / Urban Areas:
Counties:
Specific Location Names:
Undefined:
Water / Special Districts:
Watershed / Streams:
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First Entered by:
Greg Golet on 2003/10/08
Last Edited by:
Greg Golet on 2003/10/08
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