Diversity in Riparian Landscapes

Therefore, in this chapter we focus on ecosystem diversity, defined as the number, kind, and pattern of landscape and waterscape ecosystems in a specified area and the ecological processes that are associated with these patterns (Lapin and Barnes 1995). One can then characterize eeosysterns as to their composition, structure, and function -- the attributes Of diversity (Crow et al. 1994). Our objectives are to: (1) provide an example of a landscape ecosystem approach to characterizing ecosystem diversity in riparian areas by presenting a case study, (2) consider the importance of riparian areas to regional ecosystem diversity, and 3) examine and summarize management practices that conserve diversity in riparian areas.