Ecological survey and analysis of the aquatic and riparian fauna and flora of Escalante Canyon, Utah
Holden PB and Irvine JR. 1974. Ecological survey and analysis of the aquatic and riparian fauna and flora of Escalante Canyon, Utah. Utah State University Cooperative Research Unit. Logan, UT
Proposed energy developments would have the potential for large disturbances of southwest deserts and high plateaus, and the authors examined the aquatic ecosystem of Escalante Canyon to determine both present composition and probable changes if flash flooding and river level were decreased. The report describes the riparian community and contains a list of all the plants encountered, along with a list of those species endemic to the riparian community and unable to survive outside the influence of the river's water table. Details are given of the ten species of fish collected. The upper and lower areas differed as habitat, and aquatic invertebrate productivity appears to be the key to the importance of the upper areas. Silting would have disastrous effects on this productivity, and the natural river ecosystem would be lost.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Holden, Paul; Irvine, James
- Date of Issue
- 1974
- Publisher
- Utah State University Cooperative Research Unit
- Units
- GLCA
- Keywords
- Animals, Aquatic Invertebrates, Ecosystems, Endemic Species, Escalante Canyon (UT), Exotic Species, Fish, Plants, Riparian Zone, Silt, Vegetation