These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

Welcome

eXtension is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America.

Find a U.S. Institution

eXtension: more mind reach

Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts

Riparian Health - Understanding Species Diversity

Last Updated: August 16, 2011

View as web page

Why Species Diversity is Important

Multiple riparian plant species, such as are present in this photo, help to ensure the health of a riparian area.

For a riparian area to maintain itself, or to recover, a diverse composition of vegetative species is required. Although all potential plants won’t always be present in a riparian area, it is important that at least two species of the required functional groups are present. The presence of only one species makes a site vulnerable to disease or extreme climate events, which may result in degradation of an area. Composition needs to also be diverse enough to accommodate substantial shifts in the water table or zone of saturation that may occur with drought cycles.

Warning Signs

Some warning signs that species diversity is lacking, which may be indicative of declining health or “unraveling” of riparian areas include:

Only one species present – This is the only warning sign to look at regarding this aspect. A lack of diversity is a sign that riparian health may be declining.

There are some areas that are capable of having only one species, but they are uncommon and usually limited as a result of a unique soil property, vegetative characteristics, or water regime.

References

Surber, G., B. Ehrhart. 1998. Stream and Riparian Areas Management: A Home Study Course for Managers. Montana State Extension Service. Information also available at http://www.animalrangeextension.montana.edu/riparianmgt/index.htm

USDI Bureau of Land Management. 1998. Riparian Area Management: A User Guide to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lotic Areas. Technical Reference TR 1737-15. 124 pp. More Information available at: http://www.blm.gov/or/programs/nrst/index.php

Browse related Articles by tag: rangelands, rangeland plants, rangeland water

Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.

These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution. eXtension provides objective and research-based information and learning opportunities that help people improve their lives. eXtension is an educational partnership of 74 universities in the United States.