Abstract
Purpose
Although dryland streams are one of the most important vegetation shelters against drought, the effects of ephemeral stream characteristics in arid regions, especially their geometrical features, on vegetation distribution are still largely unknown. Therefore, the main aim of the current study is to clarify how different geometrical characteristics of streams in floodplains and piedmonts influence riparian vegetation distribution in arid ecosystems.
Methods
In this study, along the 10-m length and uniform cross-sections of streams, streams were separated into three main sections: (a) the stream valley and (b) the cross-sectional channel for the measurement of geometric parameters, (c) the riparian vegetation zone for the measurement of vegetation cover (%) and soil sampling in four geomorphic units. Moreover, based on the depth and width of the valley, streams were classified into small, medium, and large sizes. Furthermore, in different stream sizes, vegetation canopy was measured and the soil in riparian zones for moisture determination (%) and sediment in channels for grain size analysis were sampled.
Results
Our study revealed significant differences among geometrical parameters, vegetation canopy, sediment grain size, soil moisture content, and other soil characteristics of the different stream sizes in the study units (p < 0.05). The results showed the highest positive correlation between vegetation canopy and channel width and valley depth (r = 0.69, p < 0.01 and r = 0.61, p < 0.01, respectively) at all study sites. In addition, our study found that vegetation canopy was mainly positively correlated with stream width, sand, gravel, soil moisture, and the large stream size in the fine-grained geomorphic unit, particularly in piedmont B. In contrast, in the coarse-grained piedmonts, vegetation was more dependent on the medium stream size and soil moisture.
Conclusion
The current study found that stream geometric parameters control soil quality for vegetation growth and affect vegetation distribution in this arid area. The findings may be useful for riparian vegetation management programs in drylands.
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Acknowledgements
The main part of this paper is part of the doctoral study entitled “Study of Drylands Biogeomorphology on Geomorphic Scales in Regard to Vegetation (Case Study: Chahvarz and Alamarvdasht-Lamerd).” We would like to thank University of Hormozgan for allowing this doctoral study.
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MS performed the study fieldwork, study design, laboratory work, data analysis, and manuscript writing. AN performed study design, data analysis, editing, and guidance. YE identification of plant species and guidance. HG collaboration in soil-related laboratory work and guidance. All authors agreed on the final article.
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Sehati, M.T., Nohegar, A., Esmailpour, Y. et al. The role of geometric properties of ephemeral arid streams in the control of soil and sediment quality, and vegetation canopy distribution: a case study in the southwest of Fars province, Iran. J Soils Sediments 23, 1789–1805 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03435-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03435-9