Types of Riparian Vegetation
(Information compiled by Lina Polvi)
The types of riparian vegetation found in ephemeral channels will depend largely on elevation and aspect. Because of the small amount of water in ephemeral channels, the riparian vegetation type will be similar to the terrestrial vegetation in that zone. Because ephemeral channels are only found in the unglaciated process domains, which are below 2300 m, we will only find Lower Montane vegetation types.
There will be more terrestrial vegetation in an ephemeral channel than other channels because flowing water is not always present.
Controls on Riparian Vegetation Growth
The largest abiotic controls on riparian vegetation growth are the stream gradient and the degree of valley confinement (Polvi, in prep.). Steeper gradient streams will have a smaller riparian area, and more confined valleys will have a smaller riparian area.
Because ephemeral streams will not always have flowing water, there will be a greater influence by terrestrial species. So, controls on terrestrial vegetation growth will apply, such as aspect and elevation.
Groundwater will likely be a larger control in ephemeral channels than in perennial channels because flowing water is not always present and the channel may become intermittent as well.