The vegetation dynamics in two former braided channels of the Rh6ne River was studied at two time scales in order to test the following hypothesis: fluctuations would occur within seasons (flood disturbances, hydrological fluctuations, phenology) while successions would occur between years. The vegetation was surveyed in 1983, 1988 and 1989 during summer for the interannual investigation, and in spring 1989, summer 1989, winter 1989 and spring 1990 for the seasonal investigation. Terrestrialization, which was observed within the same period in other braided former channels of that river, did not happen here despite the 1989 drought. However, a vegetation zone situated in the upstream part one channel seems to represent some successional trend, resulting in the establishment of Nasturtium officinale and the increasing abundance of Chara vulgaris. In disagreement with the tested hypothesis, only fluctuations are observed at the two temporal scales in the other vegetation zones. The amplitude of cyclic trajectories observed in the seasonal study depends of the degree of hydraulic disturbances (floods, drought) that affects each vegetation zone. The channel that is closer to the river is maintained at a steady state by the periodical inputs of kinetic energy during river overflows and fast floods; the disturbances wash away fine deposits and rejuvenate the vegetation mosaic. In the other former channel that is less disturbed by floods and is characterized by a thick layer of fine sediments, the groundwater inputs from numerous limnocrene springs carry away organic matter and slow down ecological successions. Abbreviations: C.A.: Correspondence Analysis. Species abbreviations used in figures are listed in Table 1. Nomenclature: Corillion, R. 1975. Flore et v6g6tation du massif armoricain: tome IV. Flore des Charophytes (Charac6es) du massif armoricain et des contr6es voisines d'Europe occidentale, Jouve (ed.),
This paper deals with the results of an extensive sampling of eight former channels of the Rhǒne and eight of its tributary, the Ain River, France, designed to assess the value of molluscs as ‚describers’ of ecosystem dynamics. The sampling was stratified on the distribution of aquatic macrophytes. The distribution of molluscs species is shown to provide information on the rate of eutrophication, the groundwater supply and the succession of the abandonned river channels toward semi-aquatic and terrestrial conditions. Molluscs, together with other macroinvertebrates, not only describe the present stage of these ecosystems but also provide some predictive information on their successional pattern for assistance in the management of the alluvial plain
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.