Initial riparian and wetland vegetation classification and characterization of the Columbia Basin in Washington

184 Pages·2001·8.9 MB·English

by  Crawford, Rex C. (Rex Charles), 1949-

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INITIAL RIPARIAN AND WETLAND
VEGETATION CLASSIFICATION AND
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE
COLUMBIA BASIN IN WASHINGTON
PREPARED FOR:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT,
SPOKANE DISTRICT
REX C. CRAWFORD, Ph.D.
NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
MARCH 2001
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
Natural Resources
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INITIAL RIPARIAN AND WETLAND VEGETATION
CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION
OF THE COLUMBIA BASIN IN WASHINGTON
Rex C. Crawford Ph.D.
Washington Natural Heritage Program
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Olympia, WA 98504-7016
In coordination with:
Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District
Environmental Protection Agency
28 February 2001

SUMMARY
This report summarizes the results of a three-year project to inventory the riparian vegetation of
Washington’s Columbia Basin and to develop a riparian vegetation classification for the area.
The Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District, and the Environmental Protection Agency
funded this phase of the project for inventory of Douglas and Grant Counties, Washington.
Previous inventory was funded by these agencies and the Washington Department of Natural
Resources for inventory in Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Walla Walla, and
Whitman counties.
Sample sites included valley segments on public land and on land owned by cooperating private
land owners. Riparian samples are located along ninety-seven stream reach locations. A
stream/riparian reach or reaches that typified each valley segment was characterized by eighteen
stream variables or ratings. Each stream reach was mapped in vertical profile and as a horizontal
map. Eleven physical variables and a plant species list with cover estimates were collected in
plots on representative fluvial surfaces at each reach.
Table 1 lists the most frequently sampled of the four hundred and forty-five vascular plant
species recorded during inventory by their life form, native or introduced status, and U.S. F.W.S.
Region 9 hydrologic status, erosion control potential, short-term and long-term revegetation
ability, forage for cattle, and potential to provide cover for mule deer, upland game birds, and
waterfowl.
Analysis of vegetation and environmental data collected at two hundred seventy-three sites
derived 62 vegetation types. Each type is briefly described including its affinity to the existing
national vegetation classification and sources of management recommendation for the type.
Types are of existing vegetation and are related to potential vegetation whenever information is
available.
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Table of Contents Page
Introduction. 1
Methods..
Results and Discussion. 4
Key to riparian and wetland vegetation types.15
Tall Tree Riparian Vegetation Type plot locations/stream profiles.21
Quaking aspen / redosier dogwood
(Populus tremuloides / Cornus sericea) association.23
Quaking aspen / common snowberry
(Populus tremuloides /Symphoricarpos albus) association.24
Black cottonwood / common snowberry
(Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa /Symphoricarpos albus) association.25
Oregon white oak / common snowberry
(Quercus garryana /Symphoricarpos albus) association.26
Black cottonw ood/sandbar willow
(Populus balsamiferia subspecies trichocarpa / Salbc exigua) community.27
Black cottonwood-Rocky mountain juniper
(Populus balsamiferia spp. trichocarpa-Juniperus scopulorum) community.27
Black cottonwood / mockorange
(Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa /Pltiladelphus lewisii community.27
Ponderosa pine / Saskatoon serviceberry
(Pinus ponderosa /Ame/anchier alnifolia) community.27
White alder/water birch association
(Alnus rliombifolia /Betula occidentalis) association.28
White alder/mockorange
(Alnus rliombifolia /Pltiladelphus lewisii) association.28
White alder/netleaf hackberry
(Alnus rliombifolia/Celtis occidentalis var. reticulata) association.28
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Page
Table of Contents
Short Tree and Shrub Riparian Vegetation Type plot locations/stream profiles.29
Thinleaf alder/redosier dogwood
(Alnus incana / Cornus sericea) association.^3
Water birch / redosier dogwood
(Betula occidentals / Cornus sericea) association.34
Water birch / Common snowberry
(Betula occidentals /Symphoricarpos albus) community type.35
Water birch / Woods’ rose
(Betula occidentals /Rosa woodsii) community type.36
Black hawthorn / common snowberry
(iCrataegus douglasii /Symphoricarpos albus) association.37
Black hawthorn / Woods’ rose
{Crataegus douglasii/Rosa woodsii) community type.38
Woods’ or Nootka rose community
(Rosa woodsii or R. nutkana) community.39
Redosier dogwood
{Cornus sericea) association.40
Yellow willow/ redosier dogwood
{Salix lutea / Cornus sericea) association.41
Yellow willow- Sandbar willow
{Salix lutea - S. exigua) association.42
Sandbar or coyote willow
{Salix exigua) association.43
Lewis' mockorange / common snowberry
{Philadelphus lewisii/Symphoricarpos albus) community type.44
Saskatoon serviceberry -Lewis’ mockorange / bluebunch wheatgrass
(Amelanchier alnifolia-Philadelphus lewisii/Pseudoroegneria spicata)
community type.45
White sagebrush
46
{Artemisia ludoviciana) community type
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