Use in Defining System Response and Potential: The document recognizes the utility of 

 classification to wildlife, livestoclc, and fire effects and the aid such a classification provides 

 to many areas of management The procedure or document does not identify potential natural 

 communities; however, reference is made to a stable conmiunity. Stable refers to the condi- 

 tion of little or rx) perceived change in plant communities that are in relative equilibrium with 

 existing environmental conditions. Stability describes persistent, but not necessarily culmi- 

 nating, stages (climax) of plant conmiunity succession. 



Use in Determining State of System: The description provided by the procedure included a 

 discussion of succession and management A general discussion of possible successional 

 pathways are givea The physical information on soils and geology would be helpful in 

 determining the state of the system, but more information on geomorphology would be 

 needed for a complete discussioa 



Relation to Other Procedures: This procedure relates well to other taxonomical procedures 

 reviewed and uses standard soil taxonomy and Daubenmirc conununity ecological principles. 

 This document provides one of the first efforts in describing riparian community ecology and 

 the interrelationship with soil and water. Many of the community types described in this 

 document have been recognized elsewhere. This document should be reviewed by anyone 

 new to riparian classification. 



Automated Data Processing: ADP is inherent in carrying out the procedure. 



Limitations and Assumptions: The procedure recognizes that there are stable communities 

 and provides estimates of successional patiiways. This approach would need to be continued 

 to derive the largest benefit to management 



35 



