Declining Woody Vegetation in Riparian Ecosystems of the Western United States
Authors: Obedzinski R.A.1; Shaw C.G.; Neary D.G.2
Source: Western Journal of Applied Forestry, Volume 16, Number 4, 1 October 2001 , pp. 169-181(13)
Abstract:
Riparian ecosystems serve critical ecological functions in western landscapes. The woody plant components in many of these keystone systems are in serious decline. Among the causes are invasion by exotic species, stress-induced mortality, increases in insect and disease attack, drought, beaver, fire, climatic changes, and various anthropogenic activities. The latter include agricultural development, groundwater depletion, dam construction, water diversion, gravel mining, timber harvesting, recreation, urbanization, and grazing. This article examines the factors implicated in the decline and discusses the importance of interactions among these factors in causing decline. It also clarifies issues that need to be addressed in order to restore and maintain sustainable riparian ecosystems in the western United States, including the function of vegetation, silvics of the woody plant species involved, hydrologic condition, riparian zone structure, and landscape features, geomorphology, and management objectives. West. J. Appl. For. 16(4):169-181.Keywords: Insects; diseases; invasive species; dams; recreation; grazing; water diversion; mining; logging; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management
Document Type: Miscellaneous
Affiliations: 1: USDA Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot NF, Vancouver, WA, 98682 2: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
