Determinants of Native and Invasive Riparian Plant Distributions

Research Task: 832797V.7.0
Task Manager: Jonathan Friedman

In the semi-arid interior of western North America, riparian cottonwood, willow, and other native species are being replaced by exotic shrubs and trees. Saltcedar now covers about 500,000 ha and has become the dominant riparian woody species in much of the Southwestern United States. Russian-olive also dominates riparian systems throughout much of the western United States. These great changes in riparian woody species composition have been associated with loss of plant diversity, degradation of habitat for vertebrate animals, decreased channel conveyance, increased water loss from evapotranspiration, and loss of aesthetic and recreational opportunities. This study will examine how environmental factors influence the susceptibility of a river to invasion, especially by saltcedar and Russian-olive. This information will be provided to land managers who need to know which systems are most susceptible to invasion by exotics and which systems are most likely to respond positively to restoration efforts.

 For more information contact Jonathan Friedman