Meeting Abstract
P3.19 Tuesday, Jan. 6 Developing a riparian zone measurement protocol for perennial streams in North Central Arizona BIRD, S.E.*; ZAPUT, E.P.; MUSTA, E.J.; BENENATI, E; BENENATI, J; Los Rios College; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community High School; Flagstaff High School; Northern Arizona University, Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University, Department of Biological Sciences susieqnccc@yahoo.com
Riparian areas support more productive and diverse vegetation communities and serve more ecological functions than their terrestrial upland counterparts. These areas provide important links between terrestrial upland and aquatic ecosystems. Our study evaluated riparian parameters at two streams, Oak Creek and Pine Creek. Oak Creek is a third-order multi-use stream that originates on the Colorado Plateau and flows into the Verde River near Clarkdale. Pine Creek is a first-order stream that flows from the edge of the Mogollon Rim to the town of Pine, Arizona. The following parameters were measured at both sites: stream depth, flow velocity, stream width, floodplain width, channel gradient, first and last riparian tree, first pine tree, tree identification, tree distance from stream edge, tree height, and upland characteristics. Data was analyzed using a MANOVA test that included predictor variables of site and last riparian tree. Oak Creek and Pine Creek riparian habitats were significantly different for the parameters measured (MANOVA-Wilks Lambda, df=5,202; f=82, p<0.001). Maximum extent of riparian habitat was significantly related to stream depth, stream width, floodplain and first riparian tree based on a multi-step pair-wise analysis (R2=0.31; ANOVA df=4,317; f=35, p<0.01). Our data determined that although Oak Creek and Pine Creek had significantly different riparian characteristics, these measurements could be used as a predictor for determining the maximum extent of riparian habitat. With further development, this protocol could be used as a predictor for determining the riparian area with minimal effort.
