Native Riparian Tree Establishment Along the Regulated Dolores River, Colorado

Coble, Ashley A.; Kolb, Thomas E.

doi:10.3398/064.073.0104

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…In cottonwood, seedling establishment is closely tied to flood regimes (Baker, ); temperature and precipitation gradients may contribute to differentiation through their influence on timing of spring flood events and cueing of reproductive phenology (e.g., flowering, seed release; Perry, Andersen, Reynolds, Nelson, & Shafroth, ; Rood et al., ; Yamamoto & Sota, ). Asynchrony in seedling recruitment has been documented across adjacent river drainages and even among different reaches of the same river (Coble & Kolb, ), suggesting that variation in temperature and precipitation may be influencing genetic differentiation at very fine spatial scales.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)

et al. 2017

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Gene flow is an evolutionary process that supports genetic connectivity and contributes to the capacity of species to adapt to environmental change. Yet, for most species, little is known about the specific environmental factors that influence genetic connectivity, or their effects on genetic diversity and differentiation. We used a landscape genetic approach to understand how geography and climate influence genetic connectivity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia), and their relationships with specieswide patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation. Using multivariate restricted optimization in a reciprocal causal modelling framework, we quantified the relative contributions of riparian network connectivity, terrestrial upland resistance and climate gradients on genetic connectivity. We found that (i) all riparian corridors, regardless of river order, equally facilitated connectivity, while terrestrial uplands provided 2.5× more resistance to gene flow than riparian corridors. (ii) Cumulative differences in precipitation seasonality and precipitation of the warmest quarter were the primary climatic factors driving genetic differentiation; furthermore, maximum climate resistance was 45× greater than riparian resistance. (iii) Genetic diversity was positively correlated with connectivity (R = 0.3744, p = .0019), illustrating the utility of resistance models for identifying landscape conditions that can support a species' ability to adapt to environmental change. From these results, we present a map highlighting key genetic connectivity corridors across P. angustifolia's range that if disrupted could have long-term ecological and evolutionary consequences. Our findings provide recommendations for conservation and restoration management of threatened riparian ecosystems throughout the western USA and the high biodiversity they support.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)

et al. 2017

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“…Although flow regulation has been connected to the reduced vegetation in river floodplains in many cases (Stromberg et al ., ; Coble and Kolb, ; Coble and Kolb, ), we have observed that stabilized flow regimes have led to the colonization of woody and herbaceous vegetation in downstream river channels and floodplains in several Japanese rivers (Azami et al ., ; Asaeda et al ., ; Gomes and Asaeda, ; Asaeda et al ., ). The downstream area of the Kurobe River, Japan, became vegetated since the beginning of sediment release from two of its most downstream dam in the early 1990s (Tazaki et al ., ; Sakamoto et al ., ; Asaeda and Rashid, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Flushing sediment from reservoirs triggers forestation in the downstream reaches

2014

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It was assumed that sediment release from a reservoir would trigger forestation and change the spatial pattern of tree recruitment in the downstream. This study tested these hypotheses by observation on a downstream sandbar of the Kurobe River. Prior to sediment release, Elaeagnus umbellata and Salix gilgiana were the most abundant tree species (33% and 64% of the total tree population) on the bar. The former colonized on elevated areas, whereas the latter mostly grew along the edges of river channels. After 2008 and 2009 sediment releases, a thick layer of fine sediment accumulated in active river channels and on low‐elevated areas of the bar. The particle size of the accumulated sediment was significantly lower (p < 0·01) and the moisture content was higher (p < 0·01) than in the underlying substrate. Total nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus concentrations of the accumulated sediment were higher than in the covered portions. After sediment release, a seedling flushing of both species occurred on the bar where 87% was composed of S. gilgiana and the remaining 13% was of E. umbellata. Although most of the S. gilgiana seedlings recruited on low‐lying areas, numerous individuals also grew on elevated margins of the channels and on areas dominated by E. umbellata. The accumulated sediment made changes in the substrate, which were favourable for the recruitment and spread of S. gilgiana. This study suggests that an alternative to sediment flushing for reservoir maintenance should be sought or the impacts on downstream environment should carefully be considered before an extensive sediment flushing operation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…Conversely, increases in peak discharge, resulting from changing climate patterns, have led to increases in cottonwood and willow abundance at the Verde River, the Gila River, and other streams in the southern portion of our study area (Stromberg, 1998;Webb et al, 2007;Soles, 2008). Decreases in total discharge and peak discharge result in channel narrowing and stabilization, which has increased areas suitable for cottonwood and willow establishment at the San Juan River and other streams (Webb et al, 2007;Merritt and Poff, 2010;Mortenson et al, 2012;Coble and Kolb, 2013). This channel narrowing has, however, reduced the area suitable for boxelder establishment along regulated streams including the Green River (Dewine and Cooper, 2007;Coble and Kolb, 2013).…”

Section: Consequences Of Hydrological Change For Riparian Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Decreases in peak discharge have limited the extent of recruitment of cottonwoods and Goodding's willow below dams at the Rio Grande, the Green River, and the Colorado River (Howe and Knopf, 1991;Birken and Cooper, 2006;Webb et al, 2007). Dams and diversions have also lowered the water table in areas away from the active channel, thereby causing mortality of established trees Dewine and Cooper, 2007;Coble and Kolb, 2013). Conversely, increases in peak discharge, resulting from changing climate patterns, have led to increases in cottonwood and willow abundance at the Verde River, the Gila River, and other streams in the southern portion of our study area (Stromberg, 1998;Webb et al, 2007;Soles, 2008).…”

Section: Consequences Of Hydrological Change For Riparian Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Decreases in total discharge and peak discharge result in channel narrowing and stabilization, which has increased areas suitable for cottonwood and willow establishment at the San Juan River and other streams (Webb et al, 2007;Merritt and Poff, 2010;Mortenson et al, 2012;Coble and Kolb, 2013). This channel narrowing has, however, reduced the area suitable for boxelder establishment along regulated streams including the Green River (Dewine and Cooper, 2007;Coble and Kolb, 2013). Reduction in peak discharge following construction of dams reduced mortality of boxelder from shear stress along the Gunnison River (Friedman and Auble, 1999).…”

Section: Consequences Of Hydrological Change For Riparian Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Riparian trees and aridland streams of the southwestern United States: An assessment of the past, present, and future

Smith

Finch

2016

Journal of Arid Environments

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a b s t r a c tRiparian ecosystems are vital components of aridlands within the southwestern United States. Historically, surface flows influenced population dynamics of native riparian trees. Many southwestern streams has been altered by regulation, however, and will be further affected by greenhouse warming. Our analysis of stream gage data revealed that decreases in volume of annual discharge and mean peak discharge and a shift to earlier peak discharge will occur in the Southern Rockies region of Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. These changes will likely decrease rates of reproduction and survival of cottonwood (Populus fremontii and Populus deltoides ssp. wislizenii), Goodding's willow (Salix gooddingii), and boxelder (Acer negundo), which rely on surface flows to stimulate germination and recharge groundwater aquifers. Streams in the Central Highlands of Arizona and New Mexico will likely see reductions in annual discharge volume, which could limit reproduction and survival of the above taxa and Arizona sycamore (Platanus wrightii). These effects may be exacerbated by demands of expanding urban areas and agricultural operations, but could also be ameliorated by increasing water use efficiency and environmental mitigation. These factors must be considered, along with climate projections, when planning for conservation of riparian trees and the animal communities they support.

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Native Riparian Tree Establishment Along the Regulated Dolores River, Colorado

Cited by 11 publications

References 95 publications

Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)

Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)

Flushing sediment from reservoirs triggers forestation in the downstream reaches

Riparian trees and aridland streams of the southwestern United States: An assessment of the past, present, and future

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