Fluvially-deposited large wood and riparian plant diversity |
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Authors: | Robert A Francis Paolo Tibaldeschi Luke McDougall |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geography, King’s College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS |
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Abstract: | Out-of-channel wood jams centred by fluvially-deposited large wood represent an important habitat for riparian plant species
along large rivers dominated by exposed riverine sediments. Such wood jams often display distinct physical features associated
with the jams, such as areas of scour immediately upstream, plumes of fine sediment downstream and abundant organic material
deposited throughout the jam. This paper examines the relationship between physical characteristics of young wood jams (1–3 years
since deposition) and riparian plant diversity along the braided River Tagliamento in Northeast Italy. Species richness of
riparian plants was significantly positively correlated to the depth of scour features and amount of fine sediment around
the wood jams, which facilitate improved access to the water table and increase available water in the sediments, respectively.
Species diversity was significantly positively correlated to scour pool depth only. Scour depth was in turn influenced by
wood jam size, indicating that larger jams may indirectly increase riparian plant diversity. Management and restoration of
riparian zones containing exposed riverine sediments should allow for the formation of wood jams and their associated features
where possible, in order to potentially increase localised biodiversity. |
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Keywords: | Biodiversity Large woody debris River restoration Exposed riverine sediments River Tagliamento River islands |
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