Patterns of Plant Species Diversity in Floodplain Habitats
Emery N and McKee A. 2006. Patterns of Plant Species Diversity in Floodplain Habitats. 2006 REU Internship Program. Duke University, Durham NC
The Nyack floodplain is a site of periodic flooding and contains reaches where upwelling and downwelling occurs within the hyporheic zone. Frequency of flooding and the presence or absence of upwelling may explain patterns of species diversity observed in riparian ecosystems. This study found no significant difference in species richness between upwelling and downwelling. Species richness was significantly higher in areas with moderate flooding frequency as opposed to high frequency of flooding. Elevation above base channel appears to be correlated with species richness as well as the variance in slopes of species-area curves for all sites on the floodplain. Site on average contained 28% invasive plant species. This is cause for concern over the condition of floodplain habitats.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Emery, Nathan; McKee, Art
- Date of Issue
- 2006
- Publisher
- 2006 REU Internship Program
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- Biodiversity, Flathead Lake Biological Station, Floodplain, Nyack Creek, REU, riparian ecosystem