Using soil amendments to improve riparian plant survival in arid and semi-arid landscapes

Abstract : The widespread loss and degradation of riparian areas in the arid and semi-arid western United States has led to an increased interest in revegetation efforts aimed at restoring physical and ecological functions, such as streambank stabilization, wildlife habitat, and water quality protection (Briggs 1995) (Figure 1). However, successfully establishing riparian plant communities that can provide desired functions can be extremely challenging in arid areas that are remote from water supplies. In addition, plant establishment can be difficult in arid regions since many stream and riparian areas are characterized by infertile or highly saline soils, very low rainfall, narrow planting windows, dynamic/erosive hydrologic patterns that often scour soils holding planted vegetation, and prolific non-native plant species that tend to dominate the plant community.