Abstract
Transformation or modification of vegetation distribution and structure in arid riparian ecosystems can lead to the loss of ecological function. Mexico has 101,500,000 ha of arid lands, however there is a general lack of information regarding how arid riparian ecosystems are being modified. To assess these modifications, we use eight sites in the San Miguel River (central Sonora) to analyze (1) riparian vegetation composition, structure and distribution using field sampling and remote sensing data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV); (2) productivity (proxies), using vegetation indices derived from satellite data; and (3) variability posed by riparian vegetation and vegetation adjacent to riparian habitats. The development of a simple yet informative Anthropogenic-disturbance Index (ADI) allowed us to classify and describe each study site. We found sharp differences in vegetation composition and structure between sites due to the absence/presence of obligate-riparian species. We also report significant difference between EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) values for the dry season among vegetation types that develop near the edges of the river but differ in composition, suggesting that land cover changes form obligate-riparian to facultative-riparian species can lead to a loss in potential productivity. Finally, our tests suggest that sites with higher disturbance present lower photosynthetic activity.
Highlights
It has been thoroughly documented that human activities, which modify water availability and promote drastic habitat modifications, have caused dramatic changes in riparian vegetation of arid ecosystems in the American southwest [1,2,3,4]
For the previous we explore the combined use of satellite imagery, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) photography and field vegetation sampling to assess the differences and similarities within and between 8 disturbed sites along the San
Even though many desert species can be found on riparian habitats, this study considers that the abundance and high presence of these species can be a sign of change in the riparian ecosystem
Summary
It has been thoroughly documented that human activities, which modify water availability and promote drastic habitat modifications, have caused dramatic changes in riparian vegetation of arid ecosystems in the American southwest [1,2,3,4]. Previous work suggests that water management practices could potentially modify the structure and function of key ecosystems in arid environments [3,8,9,10]. In this sense, recent studies describe how groundwater depth restricts the establishment of riparian vegetation in watersheds located in arid environments of central Sonora (northwestern Mexico), in. Groundwater levels can affect surface runoff, possibly narrowing the river channel;
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