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Picture of colluvial hollows

Types of Riparian Vegetation

(Information compiled by Lina Polvi)

The types of riparian vegetation found in colluvial hollows depend on the elevation and aspect. Because of the small amount of water in the colluvial hollows, the riparian vegetation type will be similar to the terrestrial vegetation in that zone. Colluvial hollows are only found in the glaciated process domains, which are above 2300 m, which encompasses the upper boundary between the Lower Montane and Upper Montane, the Upper Montane, Subalpine and Alpine zones.

Table of vegetation

Vegetation table 2

Vegetation table 3


Controls on Riparian Vegetation Growth

Vegetation will be more dense in colluvial hollows than on adjacent hill slopes because water flow will be concentrated in this depressed area.

In small headwater streams, riparian vegetation may not be very evident at first. However, rather than trees and shrubs forming the riparian zone, richness in herbaceous vegetation is often greater in the area closest to the channel or hollow (Hagan et al. 2006).

Click a link below to learn more about riparian vegetation in each process domain:

Colluvial Hollows Ephemeral Channels Glaciated Confined Glaciated Partially Confined Glaciated Unconfined Unglaciated Confined Unglaciated Partially Confined Unglaciated Unconfined
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