Land Cover and Stream Morphology Indicators of Variation in Riparian Forest Patches of the Etowah River Basin, Georgia
Author(s)
Cifaldi, Rebecca L.
Kramer, Elizabeth A.
Leigh, David S.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
Collections
Supplementary to:
Permanent Link
Abstract
The goal of this paper is to present useful and simple predictive models that will enable scientists and resource managers to ascertain information about
vegetation characteristics within riparian forests without an extensive field effort. Models were
developed using land cover and geomorphic variables
to predict variation in riparian forest characteristics
associated with streams in the Etowah River Basin in north Georgia. Geomorphic factors explained much of the variation among forest patches for trees and for
seedlings, saplings and vines. Land cover variables
were secondary predictors or had no predictive power over these components of riparian plant communities.
However, local and basin scale land cover variables
explained differences among sites within the shrub layer. Information about riparian forest characteristics
can be used to strengthen assessments of stream
integrity and contribute to the appropriate identification
of restoration needs.
Sponsor
Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology
Date
2001-03
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings