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Erosional Consequence of Saltcedar Control

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Abstract

Removal of nonnative riparian trees is accelerating to conserve water and improve habitat for native species. Widespread control of dominant species, however, can lead to unintended erosion. Helicopter herbicide application in 2003 along a 12-km reach of the Rio Puerco, New Mexico, eliminated the target invasive species saltcedar (Tamarix spp.), which dominated the floodplain, as well as the native species sandbar willow (Salix exigua Nuttall), which occurred as a fringe along the channel. Herbicide application initiated a natural experiment testing the importance of riparian vegetation for bank stability along this data-rich river. A flood three years later eroded about 680,000 m3 of sediment, increasing mean channel width of the sprayed reach by 84%. Erosion upstream and downstream from the sprayed reach during this flood was inconsequential. Sand eroded from channel banks was transported an average of 5 km downstream and deposited on the floodplain and channel bed. Although vegetation was killed across the floodplain in the sprayed reach, erosion was almost entirely confined to the channel banks. The absence of dense, flexible woody stems on the banks reduced drag on the flow, leading to high shear stress at the toe of the banks, fluvial erosion, bank undercutting, and mass failure. The potential for increased erosion must be included in consideration of phreatophyte control projects.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Central Region Integrated Science Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. LIDAR acquisition was overseen by Vivian Queija and carried out by Spectrum Mapping, LLC. Terry Waddle and Julie Roth assisted with the 2007 GPS survey, and Zack Bowen and Jason Kean assisted with the 2002 topographic surveys. Larry Benson, Chris Holmquist-Johnson, Ray Watts, Juliette Wilson, and four anonymous referees provided constructive reviews. Use of trade names or company names does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

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  1. U.S. Geological Survey, WRD, BRR-CR, 3215 Marine Street, Suite E-127, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA

    Kirk R. Vincent & Eleanor R. Griffin

  2. U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA

    Jonathan M. Friedman

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  1. Kirk R. Vincent
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Correspondence to Eleanor R. Griffin.

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Vincent, K.R., Friedman, J.M. & Griffin, E.R. Erosional Consequence of Saltcedar Control. Environmental Management 44, 218–227 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-009-9314-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-009-9314-8

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