Abstract
This research presents the initial results of the effects of hydrological restoration on forested wetlands in the Mississippi alluvial plain near Memphis, Tennessee. Measurements were carried out in a secondary channel, the Loosahatchie Chute, in which rock dikes were constructed in the 1960s to keep most flow in the main navigation channel. In 2008–2009, the dikes were notched to allow more flow into the secondary channel. Study sites were established based on relative distance downstream of the notched dikes. Additionally, a reference site was established north of the Loosahatchie Chute where the dikes remained unnotched. We compared various components of vegetation composition and productivity at sites in the riparian wetlands for two years. Salix nigra had the highest Importance Value at every site. Species with minor Importance Values were Celtis laevigata, Acer rubrum, and Plantanus occidentalis. Productivity increased more following the introduction of river water in affected sites compared to the reference. Aboveground net primary productivity was highest at the reference site (2926 ± 458.1 g·m−2·year−1), the intact site; however, there were greater increase at the sites in the Loosahatchie Chute, where measurements ranged from 1197.7 ± 160.0 g m−2·year−1·to 2874.2 ± 794.0 g·m−2·year−1. The site furthest from the notching was the most affected. Pulsed inputs into these wetlands may enhance forested wetland productivity. Continued monitoring will quantify impacts of restored channel hydrology along the Mississippi River.
Highlights
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest and tenth largest river in the world
The impact of the reintroduction of flood pulses to the functioning of the bottomland hardwood forests measured by species composition and the changes in plant production rates was detectable
The Mississippi River floodplain has had black willow stands in low moist spots in parts of the alluvial valley near river channels, where water levels are 4.6 to 9.1 m above mean low water [3]
Summary
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest and tenth largest river in the world. The MississippiRiver Basin (MRB) is the fourth largest watershed in the world, draining more than 3,220,000 km covering about 40% of the landmass in the continental United States. The Mississippi River is the fourth longest and tenth largest river in the world. River Basin (MRB) is the fourth largest watershed in the world, draining more than 3,220,000 km covering about 40% of the landmass in the continental United States. The Lower Mississippi River sub-basin is characterized by low, flat topography, alluvial soils in a wide flood plain, relatively high rainfall, and high water tables [1]. The Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) once contained nearly. 10 million ha of bottomland hardwood forests, representing the largest area of bottomland hardwood wetlands in North America [2]. Black willow stands in the rive floodplain occurred in low moist spots in parts of the alluvial valley near river channels [3].
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