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Riparian ecotone: A functional definition and delineation for resource assessment

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Water, Air and Soil Pollution: Focus

Abstract

We propose a geomorphic basis for defining riparian areas using the term: riparian ecotone, discuss how past definitions fall short, and illustrate how a linked sequence of definition, delineation, and riparian sampling are used to accurately assess riparian resources on the ground. Our riparian ecotone is based on the width of the valley (its floodprone area width) plus 30 meters on each side to encompass the important adjacent riparian functions, and 15 meters around obvious landslides. A functionally consistent riparian definition and delineation does not derive from land adjacent to a stream, rather it derives from the valley the stream runs through.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Hydrologist, Ecology and Management of Riparian/Aquatic Ecosystems, USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, U.S.A

    E. S. Verry

  2. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Blacksburg, VA, U.S.A

    C. A. Dolloff

  3. Riparian Ecologist, Region I, USDA Forest Service, Missoula, MT, U.S.A

    M. E. Manning

Authors
  1. E. S. Verry
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  2. C. A. Dolloff
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  3. M. E. Manning
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Correspondence to E. S. Verry.

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Verry, E.S., Dolloff, C.A. & Manning, M.E. Riparian ecotone: A functional definition and delineation for resource assessment. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution: Focus 4, 67–94 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WAFO.0000012825.77300.08

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