Tuesday, June 5, 2007
505

Physical, chemical and biological factors contributing to vegetation distribution in riparian areas along the Lower Missouri River

Amanda J. Weimer and Dev K. Niyogi. Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Rolla, 105 Schrenk Hall, 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, MO 65409

The Missouri River and its floodplain are complex, interrelated systems of physical, chemical and biological components.  Riparian vegetation and land cover have been mapped as part of an adaptive habitat management plan by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Overton Bottoms North Unit in Rocheport, Missouri.  It has been hypothesized that the establishment of cottonwoods and willows are not directly related to surface water features, but instead are related to the makeup of the surficial alluvium, particularly abandoned meander bends of the river.  The current study seeks to measure some of the physical, chemical and biological components related to surface geography and vegetation types.  Three dominant vegetation types identified include 1) native xeric grasses and forbs, 2) nonnative, invasive grasses and forbs and 3) cottonwood and willow stands.  Preliminary data suggest there are significant differences between the vegetation types in soil texture and moisture, soil nutrient concentrations, and plant characteristics.  Ongoing investigations will further describe these differences and support the adaptive habitat management for the Overton Bottoms North Unit as well as other riparian ecosystems along large rivers.

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