Effects of dams on the wetlands and cottonwood

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Submitted by George Yarno on Fri, 2015-06-12 00:00

Today we heard from Dr. Colden Baxter about the effects of the upstream dams on the wetlands in the bottoms area of the fort hall reservation. We also learned about the effect the lack of regular flooding has on the cottonwood population. So, basically, now that there are dams upstream of the bottoms, flooding is not the same as it has I the past. The water that comes into the bottoms is controlled, thus the act of flooding in the area is almost extinct. This has had a huge effect on cottonwood populations in the area. The cottonwood need flooding to disperse their seed and to take root. If the flooding is not consistent, then the cottonwood cannot have the success they traditionally had. Also, the lack of cottonwood population are giving invasive species, such as the Russian olive, a place to grow and thrive...

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Shannon Barry's picture

Submitted by Shannon Barry on Fri, 2015-06-12 13:21

What kind of snake did Rosemary find?

Barbara Smith's picture

Submitted by Barbara Smith on Fri, 2015-06-12 14:43

Didn't realize so much how one thing (flooding) can have such an affect on other things. I will definately be more observant after this experience. There are some awesome resources available to us as special guest speakers. Hopefully we will be able to utilize them more. 

Teri Mitton's picture

Submitted by Teri Mitton on Fri, 2015-06-12 15:36

I had no idea that flooding was integral to cottonwood growth. Legacy springs is such agreat example of restoration from a local agency. Hope you all had a great week. Thanks for the educational blogs.

George Yarno's picture

Submitted by George Yarno on Fri, 2015-06-12 15:48

it's just a garter snake

Taylor Terlson's picture

Submitted by Taylor Terlson on Fri, 2015-06-12 19:13

This makes me think. The flooding has been controlled enough that the Cottonwood Trees are having a hard time surviving. What uses do we have for Cottonwoods? Which species of animals will be affected by this? Then I think back to is the Russian Olive tree really that bad of an alternative? It's not native to Idaho, it is helping keep the non-native carp grow in population because they eat it, but I don't know how many other animal species here eat the Russian Olive. It's interesting and thought provoking. Thanks for sharing your research and information with us.

Taylor Terlson's picture

Submitted by Taylor Terlson on Fri, 2015-06-12 19:22

 The video on this page was pretty interesting and I know it talks about Wyoming, but I think it works for Idaho too.

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/russolive.shtml

Many farmers were using it as a windbreak not knowing the effect it would have on other species of trees around it.

I found the answer to my questions on this page under ecological role:

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/E...

There are many animals that eat it and use them, such as beavers that we learned about this week. However, the fact that it can take over and compete with other plants makes areas with high concentration of Russian Olive trees less populous with animals. Therefore, the benefits aren't as strong.

 

 

Scott Davis's picture

Submitted by Scott Davis on Fri, 2015-06-12 20:48

The USDA site you posted is really helpful. It went a long way in answering my question about what is considered an invasive species.

Jessica Croxford's picture

Submitted by Jessica Croxford on Fri, 2015-06-12 20:57

That's really crazy how we are trying to control one thing, but then have a consequence to that control.  Maybe we should engineer little robots to disperse the cottonwood seeds like we are doing for the bees. 

Matt Allison's picture

Submitted by Matt Allison on Sat, 2015-06-13 05:42

I was thinking the same thing when you said it's crazy that when we try to control one part of our environment it can have a severe consequence. Ecosystems can be very fragile but resilient at the same time. 

Alicia Bynum's picture

Submitted by Alicia Bynum on Fri, 2015-06-12 22:20

I did not know how much the cottonwood trees relied upon water for seed dispersal. A few years ago, I worked with an after school program with Native Americans and one of our projects were to grow and replant native willow trees down bottoms. In this situation it was to help with prevent the erosion of the  river with a native species. The students really took ownership and pride in their work to help preserve their land.