Possible effects of residential development on streamflow, riparian plant communities, and fisheries on small mountain streams in central Arizona

Medina, Alvin L.

doi:10.1016/0378-1127(90)90203-n

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Although fewer of the rivers that support warm‐temperate riparian deciduous forests (the focus of this study) are regulated by dams, many are diverted or pumped for ground water. Water development pressure in these areas is increasing as human populations continue to expand (Medina, 1990). The results of this study bear directly on the management of flood flows and base flows in rivers that support Platanus ‐dominated riparian forests, and may apply to those that support Sonoran riparian Populus – Salix forests, as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of stream flow regime and temperature on growth rate of the riparian tree, Platanus wrightii, in Arizona

Stromberg

2001

Freshwater Biology

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1. The growth of riparian trees in semi‐arid regions is influenced by stream flow regime, but the relative importance of base flow and seasonal floods on growth has not been explored. I examined abiotic influences on the growth of Platanus wrightii in four stream reaches in Arizona. All reaches had a bimodal pattern of discharge, but only two had continuous flow throughout the growing season.  2. In two reaches of Sycamore Creek without perennial flow, a large percentage of the annual variation in radial growth rate of P. wrightii was explained by annual and growing season flow rate. Growth was related to these same variables in a perennial reach of Sycamore Creek, but trees maintained higher growth during drought years than they did in the temporary reaches. At Oak Creek, a larger perennial stream, P. wrightii growth showed a bell‐shaped relationship with flow. These data suggest that growth rate is frequently limited by water availability at Sycamore Creek, but not at Oak Creek.  3. At both rivers, much of the annual surface flow occurs as winter floods. Oak Creek, however, maintains a high summer base flow even during years with no floods. Platanus wrightii growth was significantly related to winter flood frequency only at Sycamore Creek. The positive relationship of growth with stream flow and winter flood frequency at Sycamore Creek presumably occurs because the P. wrightii trees are dependent on the winter flows to recharge the shallow alluvial aquifer and to raise the level of ground water within the root zone.  4. Frequent summer floods increased the growth of trees in perennial and non‐perennial reaches alike. At perennial Oak Creek, summer flood frequency was the only variable linearly related to growth of P. wrightii. Summer flood frequency was a significant, but secondary, component of multiple‐regression growth models for trees in the perennial and non‐perennial reaches of Sycamore Creek. Summer floods may stimulate growth, in part, by replenishing limiting nutrients.  5. High temperature was negatively associated with the growth of P. wrightii at Sycamore Creek. The combination of drought and high temperature resulted in very low growth rate.  6. These results have implications for the management of flood and base flow regimes on regulated, diverted and pumped rivers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of stream flow regime and temperature on growth rate of the riparian tree, Platanus wrightii, in Arizona

Stromberg

2001

Freshwater Biology

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“…Expanding population centers directly impact stream-side lands that once supported riparian ecosystems and continually increase their demands on a decidedly finite water supply, As a result, many (perhaps most) urban riparian ecosystems are already gone, and the survival of many remaining fragments is in doubt. Even small communities have impacts on stream and riparian ecosystems (Medina 1990). …”

Section: Urbanization and Road Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riparian ecosytems of semi-arid North America: Diversity and human impacts

1998

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Riparian ecosystems in tile semi-arid West of North America are diverse but have many simi larities. The mountainous landscape with wide range of latitude, longitude, and elevation offers diverse opportunities for streamside vegetation. All riparian ecosystems in the region are dependent on supplemental water, usually from the shallow, valley alluvial aquifer. Western riparian ecosystems provide several ecological services. They stabilize streambanks, trap sediment, improve water quality, and help control or modulate hydrologic processes. They function as habitat Ior many western animal species, serving as a small mesic island or strip within an arid landscape. They also serve as recreational sites for humans. Riparian systems are controlled by interacting hydrologic and geornorphic processes. Floods may alter river channel characteristics and the extent of riparian vegetation while enhancing recruitment of riparian species and recharging the alluvial water table. Geomorphie features, such as canyons and valleys, control the size of the riparian zone, as well as depth of the water table. Driving variables may differ from north to south, especially hydrology. For example, northern riparian zones are influenced by ice scour, while southern zones often have flash floods. Riparian systems occur along spatial and temporal gradients. Along elevational gradients, riparian vegetation may change from simple deciduous forests to mixed deciduous to coniferous and possibly alpine wetlands. Differences among channel, terrace, and upland plant communities decrease with increasing elevation as moisture stress decreases. Temporal gradients occur within a location in the riparian zone as early pioneer communities such as cottonwood/willow give way to late successional communities such as mesquite or sagebrush, often a consequence of sediment accumulation. Many similarities among western riparian ecosystems exist because several dominant genera (e.g., Populus) are common throughout the West, and many geomorphic and hydrologic processes that influence riparian establishment are similar, Western riparian ecosystems have been greatly altered by human activity. Major factors include natural resource use, urbanization, alteration of stream flows through dam construction and ground-water withdrawal, modification of biotic conditions through grazing, agriculture, and introduction of non-native species, and alteration within watersheds. Better understanding of the ecology of western riparian ecosystems will increase potential for restoration and protection of remaining areas.

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“…Impervious surface generates more stormwater runoff and reduces groundwater recharge, which alter stream hydrology with severe flood damage during storm events and drought with longer intermittent periods (Leopold, 1968;Hollis, 1975;Rose and Peters, 2001;Groffman et al, 2002Groffman et al, , 2003Burns et al, 2005;Walsh et al, 2005). As a consequence, urban riparian forests become more vulnerable to the invasion of alien species that may be better able to cope with the fluctuating water levels (Medina, 1990;Moffatt et al, 2004;Maskell et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Investigating alien plant invasion in urban riparian forests in a hot and semi-arid region

Sung

Rogers

et al. 2011

Landscape and Urban Planning

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Possible effects of residential development on streamflow, riparian plant communities, and fisheries on small mountain streams in central Arizona

Cited by 19 publications

References 8 publications

Influence of stream flow regime and temperature on growth rate of the riparian tree, Platanus wrightii, in Arizona

Influence of stream flow regime and temperature on growth rate of the riparian tree, Platanus wrightii, in Arizona

Riparian ecosytems of semi-arid North America: Diversity and human impacts

Investigating alien plant invasion in urban riparian forests in a hot and semi-arid region

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