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Title: Beehive Bend Subreach Addendum to: A Pilot Investigation of Cottonwood Recruitment On The Sacramento River |
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Abstract/Description: Riparian vegetation favorably contributes to critical streamside and in-stream
habitat, water quality, bank stability, and aesthetic and recreational values (Patten 1998).
Riparian cottonwoods (Populus spp.) are a keystone pioneer species that are the
foundation of this forest type, but land use and river regulation have caused a widespread
reduction in the extent and regeneration of this genus (Braatne et al. 1996, Friedman et al.
1998, Rood and Mahoney 1990). This reduction generated an effort to understand
cottonwood recruitment ecology to provide a basis for future management to retain the
societal benefits of riparian vegetation.
The fundamental hydro-geomorphic processes that facilitate cottonwood seedling
recruitment in wide alluvial valleys are typically quantified by correlating the flow
regime and the time of seedling establishment. Studies typically use
dendrochronological, geomorphic, and stream flow data to correlate the timing of stream
flow and seedling recruitment (Bradley and Smith 1986, Scott et al. 1993, 1996,
Friedman et al. 1996, Rood et al. 1998, Mahoney and Rood 1998). Scott et al. (1993)
describe how seedling germination and establishment of riparian vegetation occur in
response to the character and pattern of stream flow within a given year or growing
season. Mahoney and Rood (1998) provide an ecological model, the recruitment box,
which describes the relationship between seedling recruitment and alluvial settings. The
ecological model specifies a timing and range of elevation above mean low water (MLW)
in which a recession rate of approximately one inch per day facilitates recruitment on
other rivers studied.
River managers mimic the conditions specified in the box model through flow
regulation in order to facilitate significant recruitment. Our study reach of Sacramento
River is larger, characterized by bankfull discharge, than the rivers used to generate the
model. We previously calibrated this ecological model for one site on the Sacramento
River, at river mile (RM) 192, and conducted a preliminary investigation into the nature
and extent of limitations to cottonwood recruitment. Results are summarized in a report
titled “A Pilot Investigation of Cottonwood Recruitment on The Sacramento River”
(Roberts et al. 2000, available at
http://www.sacramentoriverportal.org/eco_indicators/forest_regen.htm).
Therefore, we sought to complement this initial investigation with data from two
additional study sites at river miles (RM) 183 and 172 to develop a more widely
applicable ecological model covering 30 miles of the Sacramento River. River regulation
can be changed to benefit many species (Poff et al. 1997) where society deems this
appropriate (Schmidt et al. 1998). If society deems re-regulation for ecological benefit as
an appropriate action on the Sacramento River, the ecological relationships strengthened
through this addendum report can provide the information necessary to facilitate
cottonwood recruitment at these, and likely other, sites in this river reach.
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, Non-Aeration Feasibility Studies Criteria Evaluation for the San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL, Peer Review of San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Studies, Non-Aeration Feasibility Studies Criteria Evaluation for the San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL, Peer Review of San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Studies, 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, 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):
Mike Roberts
Contributor(s):
Citation:
Publisher:
The Nature Conservancy
Publication Date:
Currentness:
Funder(s):
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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:
David Siedband on 2003/09/23
Last Edited by:
David Siedband on 2003/09/23
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