Geomorphic and hydrologic controls on riparian vegetation in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Conference · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States)

OSTI ID:6395796

Bechtel, D A; Stevens, L E; Kearsley, M J; Ayers, T J ^[1]

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1. Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff (United States)

Interactions between geomorphology and hydrology largely control the structure and composition of riparian vegetation in the Grand Canyon. Geologic structure, water table elevation, flooding and sediment deposition collectively create distinctive habitats required by major riparian assemblages in the dam-controlled Colorado River and its unregulated tributaries. Riparian assemblages in dominant geomorphic settings are associated with different combinations of substrata, inundation frequencies, and geomorphic features along this dam-regulated system. Data on recruitment, growth and water potential confirm that physical attributes of geomorphic zones are the causal force behind plant community structure. Alternative biotic hypotheses regarding community organization (e.g. competition, herbivory, dispersal) are discussed and dismissed.

• OSTI ID: 6395796
• Report Number(s): CONF-930798-; CODEN: BECLAG
• Journal Information: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States), Vol. 74:2; Conference: 78. annual Ecological Society of America (ESA) meeting, Madison, WI (United States), 31 Jul - 4 Aug 1993; ISSN 0012-9623
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
13 HYDRO ENERGY
COLORADO RIVER
DAMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
GEOMORPHOLOGY
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
HYDROLOGY
RIVERS
ECOSYSTEMS
GEOLOGY
POWER PLANTS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
130600 - Hydro Energy- Environmental Aspects