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Abstract Detail


Recent Topics Posters

Lovell, John [1], Heschel, Shane [1].

Environmental factors affecting riparian community dynamics and Tamarix distribution: Arkansas River, Colorado.

Invasive species can change plant community composition by outcompeting local taxa, altering the local environment, or both; such species are effectively ecosystem engineers because their life history and growth patterns in large part determine the type of environment they occupy. In fact, invasive species can directly alter environmental conditions to promote their own establishment and persistence through time. Tamarix ramosissima (the most common invasive species of the Tamaricaceae) is such a species; it has caused massive morphological changes to riparian ecosystems and their bank structures over the last century throughout the southwestern United States (Deloche et al., 2000). Growing as either small trees or dense stands of shoots, Tamarix species displace or actively outcompete native species of willow (Salix exigua ) and cottonwood (Populus deltoides) on the Arkansas River in Colorado. Due to competition for light, Tamarix has been unable to invade many naturally flowing rivers (Sher and Marshall 2001). Under normal conditions for colonization by native species, Tamarix seedlings are at a great competitive disadvantage due to slow above ground biomass accumulation. However, damming and the resulting altered disturbance regime may give Tamarix an advantage over natives. Our study analyzed vegetation patterns using census counts, stem diameter measurements and gas exchange physiology data to assess what factors affect the distribution and community structure of native species and Tamarix on the Arkansas River, Colorado.


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1 - Colorado College, Biology, 14 E. Cache La Poudre St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, USA

Keywords:
Tamarix
population dynamics
competition.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P79006
Abstract ID:2540


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