Floodplain Riparian Complex
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This occurs next to small rivers and streams and includes a complex of plant communities and soils occurring together on floodplains and associated landforms. The variability in microtopography on this site results in a patchy mosaic of plant communities that may include trees, shrubs, and herbs. Graminoids and herbs dominate on streambanks, with patches of tall forbs and shrubs interspersed with patches of floodplain forests further from the channel. The relative amount of these communities varies greatly, and more work is needed to determine how many distinct floodplain ecological sites occur in this MLRA.
Characteristics and indicators
Due to the complex of floodplains associated within this ecological site and the variability in microtopography, characteristics and indicators may vary by floodplain and cannot be ascertained.
Resilience management
This site is subject to flooding and ice scour, which periodically removes woody species, maintaining the herbaceous component of the plant community. Spring and summer flooding brings large amounts of sediment carried from tributaries, as well as other debris that is deposited on the floodplain as flood waters recede. Beaver activity can alter reaches of this site by slowing the flow, which results in less flooding and scour. Much of this site occurs upstream of dams, though altered flow regimes below dams may have significant impact on this site. Floodplain canopy trees often topple as a result of prolonged saturation of sediments; vegetation structure is highly variable and dynamic as a result. Dynamic disturbance regime and high fertility make this system highly susceptible to invasions of non-native plants. Depositional and erosional features may both be present depending on the particular floodplain. (Edinger et al. 2014; NatureServe, 2022)
Submodel
Description
Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics driven by natural disturbances, processes, and pressures (may have some anthropogenic influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the Semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.
Submodel
Description
The high nutrient content of soils and the level topography of the floodplain have attracted a high degree of conversion to agriculture. Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics that are primary driven by anthropogenic disturbances and pressures (may have some associated natural influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the cultural state associated with this ecological site.
Resilience management
Pesticides from crops and nutrients from fertilizer and farm animals often flow unimpeded into rivers, altering water quality and increasing the incidence of invasive species. Historic use of rivers as dumping areas of industrial waste leads to concentrations of toxic chemicals in the sediments. Dams convert natural flooding regimes, diminishing the dynamic quality of these systems as a result of controlled water releases. Dams also inhibit fish movement and altering movement of invertebrates. (NatureServe, 2022)
Submodel
Mechanism
wind erosion, streambank erosion, climate change, hydrological alteration (beaver activity), significant increase in flooding events and annual precipitation, introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Dam, Diversion |
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Dam |
Mechanism
hydrologic alteration (anthropogenic), timber harvesting, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape alteration
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Clearing and Snagging |
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Cover Crop |
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Dam, Diversion |
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Irrigation Field Ditch |
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Dam |
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Land Clearing |
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Precision Land Forming |
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Irrigation Land Leveling |
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Land Smoothing |
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Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
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Floodproofing |
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Controlled Stream access for Livestock Watering |
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Planned Grazing System |
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Silvopasture Establishment |
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Silvopasture Establishment |
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Prescribed Forestry |
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Managed Haying/Grazing |
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
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Patch Harvesting |
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Intensive cover cropping in annual crops |
Mechanism
remediation of hydrologic alteration, management of invasive species, pests, and pathogens, restoration of key plant species
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Obstruction Removal |
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Streambank and Shoreline Protection |
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Vegetated Treatment Area |
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Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
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Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Shallow Water Development and Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Wetland Restoration |
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Wetland Enhancement |
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Stream Corridor Improvement |
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Pathogen Management |
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Forest Land Management |
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Invasive Plant Species Control |
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Pathogen Management |
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Precision Pest Control Application |
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Extending riparian forest buffers for water quality protection and wildlife habitat |
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Extending existing riparian herbaceous cover for water quality protection and wildlife habitat |
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Shallow water habitat |
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Riparian forest buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat |
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Forest stand improvement for habitat and soil quality |
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Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats |
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Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat |
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Establish pollinator habitat |
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Habitat Development for Beneficial Insects for Pest Management |
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Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage brush, weeds and invasive species |
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Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage herbaceous weeds invasive species |
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High level Integrated Pest Management to reduce pesticide environmental risk |
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
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Herbaceous Weed Control |
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Aquatic Organism Passage Barrier Removal |
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Riparian buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat |
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Establish pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat |
Mechanism
hydrologic alteration (barrier, obstruction, dam), landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, seeding, planting
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Clearing and Snagging |
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Dam, Diversion |
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Diversion |
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Dam |
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Land Clearing |
|
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Precision Land Forming |
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Irrigation Land Leveling |
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Land Smoothing |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Spoil Spreading |
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Silvopasture Establishment |
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Silvopasture Establishment |
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Grazing Management Plan |
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Extend existing filter strips for water quality protection and wildlife habitat |
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Extending riparian forest buffers for water quality protection and wildlife habitat |
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Extending existing riparian herbaceous cover for water quality protection and wildlife habitat |
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Extending existing field borders for water quality protection and wildlife habitat |
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Improve the plant diversity and structure of non-cropped areas for wildlife food and habitat |
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Grazing management to improve wildlife habitat |
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Harvest hay in a manner that allows wildlife to flush and escape |
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Monitor key grazing areas to improve grazing management |
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Intensive Management of Rotational Grazing |
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Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture |
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Plant an annual grass-type cover crop that will scavenge residual nitrogen |
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Precision application technology to apply nutrients |
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Managing livestock access to water bodies/courses |
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
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Intercropping to improve soil quality and increase biodiversity |
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Riparian buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat |
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Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture |
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Prescriptive grazing management system for grazed lands |
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Intensive cover cropping in annual crops |
Mechanism
remediation of hydrologic alteration, seeding, planting, significant flooding events and increase in annual precipitation, compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Obstruction Removal |
|
|
Streambank and Shoreline Protection |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Establishment |
|
|
Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
|
|
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Shallow Water Development and Management |
|
|
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
|
|
Wetland Restoration |
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Wetland Enhancement |
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Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Defer crop production on temporary and seasonal wetlands |
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Shallow water habitat |
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Non-forested riparian zone enhancement for fish and wildlife |
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Riparian forest buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat |
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Forest stand improvement for habitat and soil quality |
|
|
Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats |
|
|
Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat |
|
|
Establish pollinator habitat |
|
|
Habitat Development for Beneficial Insects for Pest Management |
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
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Aquatic Organism Passage Barrier Removal |
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Leave standing grain crops un-harvested to benefit wildlife |
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Establish pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat |
Mechanism
remediation of hydrologic alteration, seeding, planting, significant flooding events and increase in annual precipitation, compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management |
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Aquatic Organism Passage |
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Obstruction Removal |
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Streambank and Shoreline Protection |
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Tree/Shrub Establishment |
|
|
Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
|
|
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
|
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Wetland Restoration |
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Wetland Creation |
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Wetland Enhancement |
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Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Defer crop production on temporary and seasonal wetlands |
|
|
Shallow water habitat |
|
|
Riparian forest buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat |
|
|
Forest stand improvement for habitat and soil quality |
|
|
Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats |
|
|
Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat |
|
|
Establish pollinator habitat |
|
|
Habitat Development for Beneficial Insects for Pest Management |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
|
|
Aquatic Organism Passage Barrier Removal |
|
|
Riparian buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat |
|
|
Establish pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat |
Model keys
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.