Introduction
The report focuses on four years of the restoration project and the successes and limitations in relation to the outlined goals and objectives. The Afton Canyon Riparian Restoration was initiated with the objectives of restoring the elements of native plant community, controlling the survival of exotic plants and minimizing the effects of human activity on the riparian vegetation in the Mojave River.
Report Analysis
The project seeks to improve the stream health, condition rating and proper functioning of the stream in maintaining the ecological balance. Human activity plays a significant role in affecting the development of the project. The outlined activities taking place in the region include water diversion, railroad construction, pumping of ground water and flood control. As such, the restoration project has implemented various techniques to guarantee the restoration of native plant species and control the plant population. Some techniques include limiting the use of herbicides together with managing the existing vegetation near the river.
Additional Information
The restoration project has had significant success over the past four years. Success is seen through the increase in the size of the floodplains. Additionally, the number of vegetated channels in the riparian region has also increased significantly. Generally, the riparian zone is significantly increasing annually due to the implemented techniques and components by the Mojave Weed Management Project (Dudley & Deloach, 2004). Further than that, the condition rating of the proper functioning based on the condition standard has also increased to the benefit of the project.
Conclusion
The success of the project is attributable to the various elements implemented to guarantee that the vegetation is maintained accordingly. The Afton Canyon Riparian Restoration seeks to control the spread of exotic plant populations on the native population by applying cost-effective methods that prove to be effective in ensuring that the riparian conditions are sustained based on the outlines condition standards.
References
- Dudley, T. O. M. L., & Deloach, C. J. A. C. K. (December 01, 2004). Saltcedar ( Tamarix spp.), “Endangered Species, and Biological Weed Control” Can They Mix? 1. Weed Technology, 18, 1542-1551.