Riparian ecosystems of semi-arid North America: Diversity and human impacts
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Authors: D. T. Patten
Date: 1998
Journal: Wetlands
Volume: 18
Number: 4
Pages: 498-512
Summary of Methods: This paper is a scientific synthesis of 98 papers highlighting the diversity and the effect human impacts have on riparian ecosystems of semi-arid West of North America.
Article Summary / Main Points: The environments of the semi-arid West are highly diverse, lending to this diversity are the riparian ecosystems that occur in the mountains, valleys, broad plains, and deep canyons. Most species found along western rivers could not survive away from riparian areas because of the very arid conditions of the West. In the West, rivers and their associated riparian areas are linked; offering linear migration routes which tend to improve genetic continuity throughout the region. An example of this continuity is cottonwoods, which creates similarities among western riparian areas, having common requirements for recruitment and survival. For more than a century riparian ecosystems in the semi-arid West have been threatened. Timber industries, mining, agriculture, urbanization, construction of dams, withdrawal of ground-water, and grazing have greatly changed valley landscapes and water conditions, greatly impacting riparian ecosystems.
Vegetation Types: All Vegetation Types
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Ecosystems
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Synthesis
Keywords: riparian, western north america, semi-arid, floods, gradients, human alteration
Annotation: This is a good summary illustrating the diversity of the riparian areas that are found across the west and the many different ways human activity has impacted them. The article explains that restoration and protection of riparian ecosystems is important but it does not provide a specific solution on how to overcome or minimize human impact on riparian resources.
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