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Chapter 5: Biological Processes in Riparian Areas
Riparian Habitat
- Riparian habitats form through the integration of physical and biological processes across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
- Over time the high spatial and temporal diversity in these processes results in the high biodiversity that characterizes many riparian areas.
Figure 5.2 Landscape level hierarchical relationships that contribute to the creation of riparian and aquatic habitats.
- Riparian habitats are corridors in a larger landscape matrix. Matrix is the dominant landscape feature.
- Differing types of dominant plant communities within the matrix make up patches. Patches are a relatively homogenous areas that are non linear and less abundant than the matrix.
- Corridors can be considered a special type of a patch with a linear form.
- The composite patches, corridors, and matrix make up a landscape mosaic.
Figure 5.3. Landscape relationships of uplands and riparian habitat.
- High biodiversity in riparian areas is driven by the high spatial and temporal diversity common to riparian areas.
- Diversity in space and time creates a variety of habitats and gives riparian areas their ecotonal nature.
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