RUcore Resource Object
RUcore Resource Object
TitleThe ecology, effect of dams, and restoration of the black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa T. & G.) forest community in the Intermountain West
NameTiedemann, Robert Bruce (author), Ehrenfeld, Joan G. (chair), Hunter, Joseph V. (internal member), Strom, Peter F. (internal member), Rood, Stewart B. (outside member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - New Brunswick,
Degree Date2011-05
Date Created2011
SubjectEnvironmental Sciences,
Black cottonwood—Ecology--Great Basin,
Dams—Environmental aspects--Great Basin,
Hydrology--Great Basin
DescriptionThe black cottonwood riparian forest is an important component of the otherwise xeric landscapes of the Intermountain West of North America. Regulation of rivers by dams has attenuated peak flood flow events, quickened the rate of decline in river stage after the peak event, and hindered the delivery of maintenance flows throughout the remainder of the growing season. As a result, sexual reproduction of trees has been diminished causing the population to be largely a result of vegetative growth from roots and runners. Field studies, examination of historic hydrology data, and large-scale in-situ experiments along the Boise River in Southwest Idaho provide the evidence to conclude this population too has been adversely affected by a change in the hydrology of the river, but remains capable of reproducing from seed if the surface of the floodplain is artificially disturbed to prepare a proper seedbed. Further, it shows the intentional manipulation of the source of soils can produce differing communities of understory shrubs, grasses, and forbs with some more desirable than others. With this information restoration ecologists can now better prescribe the means and methods to grow a native array of plants that complement adjacent landscapes, resist invasion by exotic species, and offer the greatest probability of survival and growth of individual plants.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Robert Bruce Tiedemann
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001600001.ETD.000061531
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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