Changes in community-level riparian plant traits over inundation gradients, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Comparisons of community-level functional traits across environmental gradients have potential for identifying links among plant characteristics, adaptations to stress and disturbance, and community assembly. We investigated community-level variation in specific leaf area (SLA), plant mature height, seed mass, stem specific gravity (SSG), relative cover of C4 species, and total plant cover over hydrologic zones and gradients in years 2013 and 2014 in the riparian plant community along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Vegetation cover was lowest in the frequently inundated active channel zone, indicating constraints on plant establishment and production by flood disturbance and anaerobic stress. Changes in trait values over hydrologic zones and inundation gradients indicate that frequently inundated plots exhibit a community-level ruderal strategy with adaptation to submergence (high SLA and low SSG, height, seed mass, C4 relative cover), whereas less frequently inundated plots exhibit adaptation to drought and infrequent flood disturbance (low SLA and high SSG, height, seed mass, C4 relative cover). Variation in traits not associated with inundation suggests niche differentiation and multiple modes of community assembly. The results enhance understanding of future responses of riparian communities of the Grand Canyon to anticipated drying and changes in hydrologic regime.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Title | Changes in community-level riparian plant traits over inundation gradients, Colorado River, Grand Canyon |
| DOI | 10.1007/s13157-017-0895-3 |
| Authors | Miles McCoy-Sulentic, Thomas Kolb, David Merritt, Emily C. Palmquist, Barbara E. Ralston, Daniel Sarr, Patrick B. Shafroth |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Wetlands |
| Index ID | 70185353 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Southwest Biological Science Center |
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Community-level riparian plant traits, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, 2013-2015Data
Barbara E. Ralston (Former Employee)
Bureau Approving Official, Biologist
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Community-level riparian plant traits, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, 2013-2015Data
These data were compiled based on field observations and available literature. Field observations of plant cover were made in September and October of 2013 and 2014, while trait measurements were made in September and October of 2014 and 2015. Field data was collected on sandbars along the Colorado River through Grand Canyon between river miles 0 and 226. Field measurements of specific leaf area, - Connect
Barbara E. Ralston (Former Employee)
Bureau Approving Official, Biologist