River flow and riparian vegetation dynamics – implications for management of the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument: Final report submitted to the National Park Service
Scott ML and Friedman JM. 2018. River flow and riparian vegetation dynamics – implications for management of the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument: Final report submitted to the National Park Service. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NRSS/WRD/NRR—2018/1619. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This report addresses the relation between flow of the Yampa River and occurrence of herbaceous and woody riparian vegetation in Dinosaur National Monument (DINO) with the goal of informing management decisions related to potential future water development. The Yampa River in DINO flows through diverse valley settings, from the relatively broad restricted meanders of Deerlodge Park to narrower canyons, including debris fan-affected reaches in the upper Yampa Canyon and entrenched meanders in Harding Hole and Laddie Park. Analysis of occurrence of all plant species measured in 1470 quadrats by multiple authors over the last 24 years shows that riparian vegetation along the Yampa River is strongly related to valley setting and geomorphic surfaces, defined here as active channel, active floodplain, inactive floodplain, and upland. Principal Coordinates Ordination arrayed quadrats and species along gradients of overall cover and moisture availability, from upland and inactive floodplain quadrats and associated xeric species like western wheat grass (Pascopyrum smithii), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) to active channel and active floodplain quadrats supporting more mesic species including sandbar willow (Salix exigua), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), and cordgrass (Spartina spp.). Indicator species analysis identified plants strongly correlated with geomorphic surfaces. These species indicate state changes in geomorphic surfaces, such as the conversion of active channel to floodplain during channel narrowing.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Scott, Michael; Friedman, Jonathan
- Date of Issue
- 2018-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- DINO , NRSS , WRD