Riparian Vegetation

What’s the Difference?

Kinds and Amoutsof

VEGETATION

The Role of Vegetation inRiparian Function

• Protect banks• Stabilize channels• Dissipate energy:

→ Slow velocity→Drop sediment→ Stabilize

sediment→Build floodplain

Build Floodplain:

• Increase water storage capacity (sponge)

• Increase recharge

• Absorb floodwater

• Prolonged flow

Riparian Vegetation

1. Slow the water down

2. Retain water on the land longer

Plant Vigor-Leaves and RootsCaring for the Green Zone, Riparian Areas and Grazing ManagementAlberta Riparian Habitat Management Project, “Cows and Fish Project”

C h a n n e l S t a b i l i t y R a t in g ( V e g e t a t io n )

0 2 4 6 8 10R e lative S ta b i li ty C las s

B a re G ro u n d

W illo w -S ed g e

W illo w -B lu eg ra ss

B e ak ed S ed g e

B lu eg ra ss

B altic Ru sh

An ch o re d Ro ck

C o yo te W illo w

W in w a r d 2 0 0 0A p p e n d ix B

A d e q u a te R o o tS t r e n g th

3 Types of Vegetation

Colonizers

Knotgrass

Knotgrass

Colonizer Sedge

Water Hyssop (Bacopa)

Water Hyssop + Spikerush

Spikerush

Spikerush

Stabilizer – Emory sedge

Emory sedge

Sawgrass (Cladium)

SwitchgrassPanicum virgatum

Switchgrass

Switchgrass

Switchgrass

Deergrass

Bushy bluestem

Bushy bluestem

Woody Vegetation

Sycamore (Platanus)

Willow Sauz Salix

Willow Regeneration

Heavy Browsing

Willow – Trunk sprouting

Cottonwood

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus)

Buttonbush – Heavy browsing

Indigobush (Amorpha)

Buttonbush + Indigobush

Little walnut (Juglans)

Baccharis Jara

Baccharis

Spikerush + Deergrass + Baccharis

Bricklebush

Burrobush

Live Trees + Dead Wood

Catch sediment

Bad News, and Good News

The Right Kinds and Amountsof Vegetation - Critical

Sugarberry (Celtis)

Elm (Ulmus)

Concho River1 Rainfall Event

7400 Ac/ft of Runoff34,000 Tons Soil