PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #46: Riparian Ecology.
Wednesday, August 7. Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Exhibit Hall B & C, TCC

Recovery of a montane riparian community after a severe disturbance.

Bliss, S.^*,1, Trlica, M.¹, Leininger, W.¹, Cooper, D.¹, ¹ Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

ABSTRACT- Riparian ecosystems represent only a small fraction of the landscape, but provide a multitude of resources for human and wildlife needs. Riparian areas are also subjected to numerous natural and man-caused disturbances. Riparian plants have adapted to these disturbances and contribute to ecosystem recovery in many ways. The purpose of this study was to examine the resilience of riparian vegetation to trampling disturbance. The objectives for this study were: (1) to compare rates of recovery in vegetation cover and species richness in areas disturbed by intensive cattle trampling at different times (spring, summer, and fall) during one growing season versus undisturbed control sites, and (2) to determine survival and growth rates of two species of willow cuttings planted in these highly disturbed areas as compared with those planted in control areas. The responses and rates of recovery of herbaceous vegetation and willows in a montane riparian ecosystem one, two, and five years after trampling disturbances were determined. Recovery in vegetation cover after trampling disturbance was most pronounced after five years. The dominant riparian sedges recolonized disturbed areas and have asserted competitive dominance over other species, except for a few remnant-introduced species. Survival of willow cuttings was extremely low in all areas. Vegetation cover within disturbed areas has nearly recovered within the five years since disturbance indicating a high resilience for this riparian community.

KEY WORDS: Riparian, trampling, recovery, disturbance