Influence of land use on the condition of the riparian zone along an urban-rural gradient in the Sabinal River, Mexico

Abstract

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Riparian vegetation is strongly influenced by the surrounding land use. While it is known that urbanization processes can affect plant species composition and the ecological condition of the riparian zone, the specific responses require a fuller understanding.</p><p><strong>Hypothesis:</strong> The quality of riparian zones is inversely related to the degree of urbanization of adjacent areas, and that land uses that provide forest cover ensure a less degraded condition and greater diversity of species.</p><p><strong>Study site and year of study: </strong>Sabinal River basin, Chiapas, Mexico, 2015.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods:</strong><strong> </strong>Measures of the Riparian Quality Index (RQI) and plant species composition were compared among three different land use conditions (secondary forest, grasslands and crops, and human settlements). <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Riparian zones adjacent to secondary forest showed higher RQI than those next to grasslands and crops and human settlements. Riparian zones within secondary forest also had a higher woody species richness and better substrate condition, whereas reaches adjacent to human settlements appeared paved and eroded, exhibiting soil compaction. Species richness and diversity were positively correlated to the RQI and were greater in riparian zones adjacent to secondary forest than in those next to human settlements.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While grazing and cultivation affect the riparian zone, expansion of urban areas has a greater impact by reducing woody species richness and diversity, altering species composition and favoring soil compaction and bank erosion, which results in reduced riparian quality.</p>

Riparian Land-Use Impacts on Stream Bank and Gully Erosion in Agricultural Watersheds: What We Have Learned

“…Similar to past studies, this review had some studies that indicated trees (Study 7) [62,72,78] as better for bank stabilization while others indicated grasses (Studies 2 and 3) [79,80]. Perennial plant communities with vigorous root systems, regardless of whether they are trees or grasses, increase stream bank stability, especially in headwater streams [81] (Tables 2-4).…”

Status of Riparian Zone of River Narmada in the Central Zone using QBR index

“…The QBR index for assessment of riparian forest quality is a protocol which was developed by F.E.M. (Freshwater Ecology and Management) research group of Universitat De Barcelona (Díaz-Pascacio et al, 2018). In this protocol there are four riparian habitat quality levels and for each there is a given score.…”

“…The QBR index ("qualitat del bosc de ribera" or riparian forest quality) is an easy-to-use field method for assessing the habitat quality of riparian forests. This was designed and developed for use in Mediterranean streams in Spain (Díaz-Pascacio et al, 2018).…”

Gestão ambiental, legislação e os recursos hídricos na cidade de Fortaleza (CE), Brasil

“…A qualidade das zonas ribeirinhas está inversamente relacionada ao grau de urbanização das áreas adjacentes, observando-se que os usos da terra com maior cobertura florestal garantem uma condição menos degradada e maior diversidade de espécies (DÍAZ-PASCACIO et al, 2018).…”