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4. Name: Riparian Zone Associations of the Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, and Winema 

 National Forests. 



Authors: Bernard L. Kovalchik. 



Reference: Kovalchik, B.L. 1987. Riparian zone associations: Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, 

 and Winema National Forests. USDA Forest Service Region 6 Ecology Technical Paper 279- 

 87 Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon. 171 pp. 



Objectives: This product describes the general geographic, topographic, edaphic, ftmctional, 

 and floristic features of riparian ecosystems. It describes successional trends and predicts 

 vegetative potential on disturbed riparian ecosystems and presents information on resource 

 values and management opportunities. It contributes to the broad regional classification 

 program of the USDA Forest Service, Region 6. 



Designed Users: Biologists, foresters, range conservationists, engineers, hydrologists, 

 managers. 



Area of Applicability: Central and southern Oregon. Concepts of this system can be 

 applied anywhere. 



Classification Units, Description, and Data: 



Classification Units Description 



Upland Ecosystem, 

 Transitional 

 Ecosystem, 

 Riparian 



Physiographic 

 Area 



Riparian 

 Landform 



Riparian 

 Association, 

 Community Type, 

 Fluvial Surface 



While not actually classified, a distinction is made between 

 upland, transitional, and riparian ecosystems. Riparian 

 ecosystems are those next to water where vegetation is 

 on the perpetual water source. Transitional ecosystems 

 occur between the riparian and upland. Transitional ecosys- 

 tems do not have mesophytic vegetation such as alders, 

 sedges, and willows, yet are maricedly different from the 

 uplands. Transitional areas include inactive flood plains, 

 terraces, toe-slopes, and meadows having high water during 

 a portion of tiie year. 



This is the broadest level of tiie classification and integrates 

 similar climatic, geologic, and geomoiphic processes. 



This intermediate level reflects similarities in elevation, 

 valley gradient, fluvial processes, water regime, and soils. 



This is the lower level and is determined by site environ- 

 ments reflected in the types of vegetation potentiaUy 

 dominated by the site. Riparian associations (or community 

 types) differ from each other with respect to land manage- 

 ment opportunities, can be identified at any level of distur- 

 bance, have a limited variation in species composition, and 

 have a limited variability in productivity. The riparian 



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