Riparian Ecosystem Management at Military Installations: Determination of Impacts and Evaluation of Restoration and Enhancement Strategies

摘要

The primary goal of this project was to improve our understanding of riparian function and assess impacts of military training and land management activities on riparian ecosystems. We have focused our work particularly on the effects of excessive sedimentation in riparian zones and streams from upland disturbances resulting from military training activities, and on the direct effects of prescribed burning on riparian ecosystems. Our research addressed two objectives: (1) identify the impacts of upland (vegetation loss, soil disturbance and erosion) and riparian disturbances (sedimentation) on riparian functions, including the maintenance of stream ecosystems; and (2) evaluate the effects of riparian restoration involving stabilization and revegetation of ephemeral drainage channels and woody debris additions to perennial streams.