Geomorphic, Hydrologic and Vegetation Interactions Related to Alluvial Fans and Meadow Complexes

GBEM-Team Leader

   -Jeanne Chambers

The Book

   -Great Basin Riparian Ecosystems

GBEM-Field Tour

Employment

The degradation and loss of meadow complexes in the central Great Basin is resulting in the conversion of highly productive, grass and sedge dominated riparian ecosystems to more xeric upland vegetation and, consequently, in a net decrease in the aerial extent of the riparian corridor.  This has the potential to affect water retention and storage and thus water supply to downstream users, to decrease the forage base for livestock and native herbivores, and to threaten the biodiversity of the region.  This interdisciplinary research project will provide a holistic understanding of the causes of meadow incision, and of incision effects on the geomorphology and hydrology of meadow complexes and, thus, riparian vegetation over a range of spatial and temporal scales.  Specific objectives include

1. Determine the factors controlling meadow distribution

2. Examine the geomorphic and vegetation evolution of riparian meadows

3. Quantify the spatial and temporal variations in meadow hydrology

4. Evaluate the processes related to meadow dissection and headcut migration and their effects on riparian meadows

5. Develop a system for evaluating the restoration potential of degraded meadows.

The project duration is from April 2003 through March 2006 and funding is from the EPA.

Researchers:

Dave Jewett-EPA, GWERD
Jeanne C. Chambers-USDA Forest Service, RMRS
Jerry Miller, Mark Lord- Western Carolina University
Dru Germanoski- Lafayette College
Greg Baker-University of Tennessee
Sudeep Chandra, Tom Dudley, Wendy Trowbridge -University of Nevada, Reno
Jim Bergman, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Contacts:

Dave Jewett

jewett.david@epamail.epa.gov

580.436.8560

or

Jeanne C. Chambers

jchambers@fs.fed.us

775-784-5329