Figure 75. Close-up of dense and diverse vegetatfve devel- 

 opment in an area of surface broadcast of woody slash 

 and organics. Note the willow adventitious stem 

 development. 



Other factors that enhanced vegetative recovery were the presence of 

 silt deposits, an abundant seed source, and the deposition or grounding of 

 displaced organic vegetative mats. 



At several sites (including Kavik River, Skeetercake Creek, Kuparuk 

 River, Sagavan irktok River, and Dietrich River-Downstream) the deposition of 

 pockets of silt in low depressions within the disturbed areas quickly led to 

 the development of a pioneer community dominated by wetland plants adapted 

 to wet and silty soils. These areas frequently were dominated by Carex spp., 

 Juncus spp., Eriophorum spp., Equisetum spp., and Salix spp. (Figures 76 and 

 77). Their size was highly variable and dependent upon river characteristics 

 (suspended load) and site characteristics (disturbed area profiles and 

 shapes ) . 



At several of the permanently ponded sites (Jim River, Prospect Creek 

 and West Fork Tolovana River) the development of herbaceous and woody plants 

 was found to be frequently most concentrated at old and recent high water 



246 



