Recovery of Riparian Vegetation on an Intermittent Stream Following Removal of Cattle

Abstract

In 1984 – 1987 the recovery of riparian willows (Salix spp.) and sycamores (Platanus racemosa) was studied on two short, intermittent stream sections in a newly acquired portion of Henry W. Coe State Park in central California. Prior to removal of cattle in 1983, the plots contained mature sycamores, one young sycamore, and five willows. By 1985 over 320 willows, 16 sycamores and 1 cottonwood (Populus fremontii) had appeared, and basal sprouts had developed on the mature sycamores. Young willows and sycamores grew slowly, and establishment and growth generally ceased as surface flows disappeared. Because of slow growth at the sites, a significant willow corridor is probably only possible in the absence of cattle browsing.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the California riparian systems conference: protection, management, and restoration for the 1990s; 1988 September 22-24; Davis, CA.

Citation

Smith, Jerry J. 1989. Recovery of Riparian Vegetation on an Intermittent Stream Following Removal of Cattle. In: Abell, Dana L., Technical Coordinator. 1989. Proceedings of the California Riparian Systems Conference: protection, management, and restoration for the 1990s; 1988 September 22-24; Davis, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-110. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 217-221