Fluvial disturbance patches and cottonwood recruitment along the upper Missouri River, Montana
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Authors: G. T. Auble, and M. L. Scott
Date: 1998
Journal: Wetlands
Volume: 18
Number: 4
Pages: 546-556
Summary of Methods: Plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides Marsh. subsp. monilifera) population dynamics were measured inside and outside of 4 exclosures along the Wild and Scenic portion of the Missouri River in Montana to determine the impacts of livestock grazing on cottonwood recruitment in this river's riparian zone. Cottonwood seedlings (of four age classes) were sampled during August 15 and September 1. Elevation measurements were taken annually, at 1-m intervals along a transect to determine net erosion of deposition. Grazing use of the site was recorded as ungrazed or grazed.
Article Summary / Main Points: Grazing reduced the density of cottonwood seedlings and reduced the number of seedlings that survived to larger size classes, though the location of these trees would make it highly unlikely that these trees would survive future disturbances. Flow regulation from the upstream dam probably had greater impacts on cottonwood recruitment than grazing, since it limited the number of establishment sites and reduced the overwinter survival of established seedlings. Livestock grazing has minimal impacts on cottonwood recruitment in most years, however, if stream flow patterns changed to promote cottonwood establishment then grazing would most likely be the factor limiting cottonwood recruitment.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 58A Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Cottonwoods Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: dam, flood, livestock grazing, hydrogeomorphic, plains cottonwood, populus deltoides marsh. subsp. monilifera, seedling demography, streamflow, exclosures
Annotation: The findings of this study are highly relevant as cottonwood regeneration has become a high priority along waterways with controlled water flows and grazing.
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