Riparian Complex
Scenario model
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Description
In its native state riparian woodlands have a dynamic mix of either a tall tree component mixed with a medium or short tree component and understory of dense shrubs with grasses, sedges, and forbs. In drier areas the dominant overstory will be shrubs or shrubby willows. Mortality can occur through natural influences such as insects, disease, floods, and fire. Low intensity ground fires will open these riparian woodlands, however will recover quickly through root sprouting or seed regeneration. Severe fires can kill much of the vegetation and may take longer to recover if native seed sources are scarce or adjacent land uses impact these areas through intensive grazing, erosion from crop production, and invasion of introduced or exotic species.
Below is a list of species that may be encountered in these MLRAs. Black Cottonwood and quaking aspen will be seen throughout the region if moisture is plentiful. Ponderosa pine more prevalent in the north areas and in the Palouse. Oregon White Oak is unique to the Yakima and Klickitat area. Black hawthorn is well adapted to the Palouse region. White alder and Netleaf hackberry common in the Southeastern portion of the state. The junipers will be suited to the driest portions of these MLRAs. The short willows and shrubs will occur throughout the state.
For specific plant lists relative to riparian plant associations in Washington MLRAs refer to the following references:
Riparian Vegetation Classification of the Columbia Basin, WA. Rex C Crawford, Ph.D. March 2003
Washington Natural Heritage Program. Washington Dept. of Natural Resources in Coordination with Bureau of Land Management, Spokane, WA and the Nature Conservancy
Trees and Shrubs for Riparian Plantings. USDA, NRCS Washington. Plant Materials Technical Note 24.
Key Tall Tree Species:
Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera spp. Trichocarpa)
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana)
Water Birch (Betula occidentalis)
Medium/short Tree Species:
White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia)
Thinleaf Alder (Alnus incana spp. Tenuifolia)
Black Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii)
Rocky Mt. Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)
Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis)
Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis laevigata var. reticulata)
Willow spp. (Salix spp.)
Shrub Species:
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea ssp. Sericea)
Mockorange (Philadelphus lewisii)
Sandbar (Coyote) Willow (Salix exigua)
Wood’s Rose (Rosa woodsia)
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor)
Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate)
Submodel
Description
Riparian woodland subjected to frequent grazing in spring and early summer causing loss of native shrubs, grasses, and forbs. Tall, medium, and short tree components become stressed and some mortality occurs. The overstory tree component becomes more open allowing introduce grasses and noxious weeds to enter and compete with native species.
Submodel
Description
Many riparian woodland areas of MLRAs 7, 8, and 9 have been removed or their widths reduced for crop production. The Palouse Area would be a good example with riparian areas of black hawthorn, ponderosa pine, snowberry, and other native shrubs that have been removed or reduced.
Submodel
Mechanism
Overgrazing severely reduce native shrubs, grasses and forbs. Introduced cool season grasses invade and dominate understory. Tall tree component remains. Some medium/short tree components may still remain. No tree regeneration or root sprouts.
Mechanism
Riparian converted to pasture or cropland land use. Trees removed. Riparian width reduced.
Mechanism
Livestock exclusion with possible site preparation and tree/shrub planting and seeding of native species.
Mechanism
Riparian forest buffer planted and livestock excluded. Seed understory to native grasses to minimize weed invasion.
References:
Crawford, Rex, Riparian Vegetation Classification of the Columbia Basin, Washington, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Report 2003-03, March 2003
Dwire, Kathleen A. and Kauffman, J. Boone. Fire and riparian ecosystems in landscapes of the western USA. In Forest Ecology and Management 178 (2003) p. 61-74. 14.
Environmental Protection Agency, map of Level III and IV Ecoregions of Washington, June 2010
Natural Resources Conservation Service, map of Common Resource Areas of Washington, 2003
NRCS Stream Visual Assessment Protocol, Version 2, December 2009
Rocchio, Joseph & Crawford, Rex C., Ecological Systems of Washington State. A Guide to Identification. Washington State Department of Natural Resources, October 2015. Pages 156-161 Inter-Mountain Basin Big Sagebrush.
Soil Conservation Service, Range Sites for MLRA 9 from 1980s
Trees and Shrubs for Riparian Plantings. USDA, NRCS Washington. Plant Materials Technical Note #24
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