This blog is devoted to BIOL 6988, a graduate level seminar in the biological sciences at Youngstown State University. While targeted towards graduate students, BIOL 6988 actively incorporates undergraduate participants in their scholastic endeavors in the biological sciences. This blog is intended as a educational tool not just for YSU students and faculty, but for anyone who wishes to contribute to an active-learning environment.
Through his committed fieldwork in Zoar Valley during his half sabbatical and exquisitely beautiful pictures, Dr. Diggins introduced his research on riparian forests, the study of rivers and stream corridors. He discussed different conditions in which succession may proceed or be suspended, as well as different disturbances and rates of diversity in each environment. Zoar Valley is a mid-gradient, cobble/gravel, bedrock river. This type of river is extremely porous, causing minimal flood influence and succession to proceed. High diversity is seen in this environment. On the other hand, rivers that are made of fine cohesive corridors (such as mud) are not porous and are persistently impacted by flooding. These display less diversity. Dr. Diggins noted that these types of river corridors are still very ecologically important despite poor flood control, small amount of diversity, and suspended succession. Why do you think so? I’m curious to see what role of importance these mud corridors potentially have on the environment.
I think this is one of an informative and educative presentation on aspect of reviving and preserving the nature well-being. The riparian zone, plays major roles in soil conservation, habitat biodiversity, and influence flora and fauna ecosystems including grasslands, woodlands and non-vegetative areas. Therefore, riparian zone should be encouraged to halt some ecological catastrophes.
Dr. Diggins talk on the disturbance succession and diversity in riparian zones found in Zoar Valley was very informative, especially to someone such as myself who has little experience in field ecology and botany. With regard to the importance of the fine cohesive corridors, I believe that they are of significant importance simply due to their lack of diversity caused by flooding. What I mean by this is that it is important to see what species do inhabit these zone considering they are highly influenced by flooding. Ecologists, such as Dr. Diggins, can then determine why these species prefer an environment that is inhospitable to other species.
Dr. Diggins seminar on his field work in the Zoar Valley was very interesting and informative. Although I do not have much knowledge in the field of ecology, he did a good job explaining the background of his research. I think rivers made of fine cohesive corridors of are important because they can show what species inhabit a particular area regardless of flooding or not, because they are lacking in diversity.
Riparian zones overall play a very important role in the environment ecologically, where one can study the interactions between bodies of water and land. The porosity of the rivers play an important role in the diversity of the species in that area. In addition, it affects habitat distribution (such as in forests) as well as the overall succession of the organisms in that environment. Looking at qualities in riparian zones, such as the degree of porosity of rivers, is important to determine these factors in a given habitat.
Why do I think low diversity ecosystems where succession may be suspended are important? I like to approach this question from my adaptationist point of view. While ecosystems developing in relatively stable but diverse conditions permit succession and high diversity, only the most badass plants and animals adapt to survive the harsh conditions in an unstable ecosystem. Take desert ecosystems as an example. Deserts do not support high diversity, but species like juniper, cacti, kit foxes, desert woodrats, rattlesnakes, and desert tortoises and adapted to living in extreme temperatures and very little water. Though we may find low diversity in extreme environments, species living in harsh conditions show innovative adaptations and they are really cool. This is a great reason to preserve low diversity ecosystems.
I like the way you put your answer! And I agree. I think it is interesting to see which species can adapt to harsher conditions. And then see why those species are capable of doing so.
Dr. Diggin's presentation on disturbance, succession and diversity in the riparian zones was really amazing. The riparian zones can be use for transportation, irrigation e.t.c. The river corridor with its poor flood control and low diversity plays a key role in harboring species which are adapted to such a niche. This will help the ecologists to determine why certain species thrive well in that area.
Dr. Diggins research seems very interesting and I think it is really cool he has spent so much of his career devoted to researching Zoar Valley. I think that riparian zones are ecologically important because it is central to note the different kinds of species that are able to survive in such a harsh habitat. Although flooding may constantly disrupt these habitats and therefore suspend succession, it is significant to understand how these species are able to still thrive. They must have some critical adaptations that allow them endure these riparian zones.
Dr. Diggins research on riparian zones is interesting and academically important for several reasons. These areas, as has been pointed out in the comments above, provide insight into ecological interactions between plants and water. It has also been pointed out, specifically in Kyle's response, that it can give us information on the types of species living there and the adaptations made in order to thrive in such an environment, potentially serving as baseline data for other similar ecosystems.
Not having much background in Ecology, I would think river corridors can offer other information about what has survived there in the past and what might have been the cause of their death. Finding out what exactly caused the death of plant life could grant information as to the changing conditions of the river in terms of weather patterns or possible contamination. Preexisting plant life could be investigated by examining what might be dormant in the soil in a seed state or looking at other plant life in the immediate area. This information combined can offer insight into how that environment has changed and what plants may be better suited to survive there now.
I think perhaps because mud corridors are a more hostile environment, the diversity lacks because only certain types of trees have adapted for flood resistance. Since I don't have a background in ecology, I'm not sure why these types of ecosystems would be ecologically important. Nevertheless, I do believe studying these ecosystems is important. By studying these types of trees and the mechanisms by which they have become resistant to flooding, bioengineers may be able to develop genetically engineered crops that resist possible flood damage. Wouldn't that be cool!
Cohesive corridors that are not porous and are persistently impacted by flooding display less diversity, but are ecologically important, even though they have suspended succession and poor flood control. Though what they have to contribute is comparatively small, it may be unique or integral in supporting another corridor.
Dr. Diggins research is very interesting and I found it very useful that he explained background information on the diversity of ecological systems in riparian zone especially in Zoar valley. He identified the four successional stages of development of ecosystem on flood plane. Stand initiation is the first stage on floodplain about 12 years that means trees are starting to grow. Late stand initiation and stem exclusion phase in which if the tree is not favored, the gap is filled by its neighbors, are followed. Understory re initiation is the last stage on upper terrace takes about 120 years. Cohesive corridors are not flood resistant but they offer ecological diversity. Although, flooding may constantly disrupt these habitats and therefore suspend succession, it would be interesting to know how these species survive and start their growth in stand initiation phase.
Through his committed fieldwork in Zoar Valley during his half sabbatical and exquisitely beautiful pictures, Dr. Diggins introduced his research on riparian forests, the study of rivers and stream corridors. He discussed different conditions in which succession may proceed or be suspended, as well as different disturbances and rates of diversity in each environment. Zoar Valley is a mid-gradient, cobble/gravel, bedrock river. This type of river is extremely porous, causing minimal flood influence and succession to proceed. High diversity is seen in this environment. On the other hand, rivers that are made of fine cohesive corridors (such as mud) are not porous and are persistently impacted by flooding. These display less diversity. Dr. Diggins noted that these types of river corridors are still very ecologically important despite poor flood control, small amount of diversity, and suspended succession. Why do you think so? I’m curious to see what role of importance these mud corridors potentially have on the environment.
ReplyDeleteI think this is one of an informative and educative presentation on aspect of reviving and preserving the nature well-being. The riparian zone, plays major roles in soil conservation, habitat biodiversity, and influence flora and fauna ecosystems including grasslands, woodlands and non-vegetative areas. Therefore, riparian zone should be encouraged to halt some ecological catastrophes.
ReplyDeleteDr. Diggins talk on the disturbance succession and diversity in riparian zones found in Zoar Valley was very informative, especially to someone such as myself who has little experience in field ecology and botany. With regard to the importance of the fine cohesive corridors, I believe that they are of significant importance simply due to their lack of diversity caused by flooding. What I mean by this is that it is important to see what species do inhabit these zone considering they are highly influenced by flooding. Ecologists, such as Dr. Diggins, can then determine why these species prefer an environment that is inhospitable to other species.
ReplyDeleteDr. Diggins seminar on his field work in the Zoar Valley was very interesting and informative. Although I do not have much knowledge in the field of ecology, he did a good job explaining the background of his research. I think rivers made of fine cohesive corridors of are important because they can show what species inhabit a particular area regardless of flooding or not, because they are lacking in diversity.
ReplyDeleteRiparian zones overall play a very important role in the environment ecologically, where one can study the interactions between bodies of water and land. The porosity of the rivers play an important role in the diversity of the species in that area. In addition, it affects habitat distribution (such as in forests) as well as the overall succession of the organisms in that environment. Looking at qualities in riparian zones, such as the degree of porosity of rivers, is important to determine these factors in a given habitat.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I think low diversity ecosystems where succession may be suspended are important? I like to approach this question from my adaptationist point of view. While ecosystems developing in relatively stable but diverse conditions permit succession and high diversity, only the most badass plants and animals adapt to survive the harsh conditions in an unstable ecosystem. Take desert ecosystems as an example. Deserts do not support high diversity, but species like juniper, cacti, kit foxes, desert woodrats, rattlesnakes, and desert tortoises and adapted to living in extreme temperatures and very little water. Though we may find low diversity in extreme environments, species living in harsh conditions show innovative adaptations and they are really cool. This is a great reason to preserve low diversity ecosystems.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you put your answer! And I agree. I think it is interesting to see which species can adapt to harsher conditions. And then see why those species are capable of doing so.
DeleteDr. Diggin's presentation on disturbance, succession and diversity in the riparian zones was really amazing. The riparian zones can be use for transportation, irrigation e.t.c. The river corridor with its poor flood control and low diversity plays a key role in harboring species which are adapted to such a niche. This will help the ecologists to determine why certain species thrive well in that area.
ReplyDeleteDr. Diggins research seems very interesting and I think it is really cool he has spent so much of his career devoted to researching Zoar Valley. I think that riparian zones are ecologically important because it is central to note the different kinds of species that are able to survive in such a harsh habitat. Although flooding may constantly disrupt these habitats and therefore suspend succession, it is significant to understand how these species are able to still thrive. They must have some critical adaptations that allow them endure these riparian zones.
ReplyDeleteDr. Diggins research on riparian zones is interesting and academically important for several reasons. These areas, as has been pointed out in the comments above, provide insight into ecological interactions between plants and water. It has also been pointed out, specifically in Kyle's response, that it can give us information on the types of species living there and the adaptations made in order to thrive in such an environment, potentially serving as baseline data for other similar ecosystems.
ReplyDeleteNot having much background in Ecology, I would think river corridors can offer other information about what has survived there in the past and what might have been the cause of their death. Finding out what exactly caused the death of plant life could grant information as to the changing conditions of the river in terms of weather patterns or possible contamination. Preexisting plant life could be investigated by examining what might be dormant in the soil in a seed state or looking at other plant life in the immediate area. This information combined can offer insight into how that environment has changed and what plants may be better suited to survive there now.
ReplyDeleteI think perhaps because mud corridors are a more hostile environment, the diversity lacks because only certain types of trees have adapted for flood resistance. Since I don't have a background in ecology, I'm not sure why these types of ecosystems would be ecologically important. Nevertheless, I do believe studying these ecosystems is important. By studying these types of trees and the mechanisms by which they have become resistant to flooding, bioengineers may be able to develop genetically engineered crops that resist possible flood damage. Wouldn't that be cool!
ReplyDeleteCohesive corridors that are not porous and are persistently impacted by flooding display less diversity, but are ecologically important, even though they have suspended succession and poor flood control. Though what they have to contribute is comparatively small, it may be unique or integral in supporting another corridor.
ReplyDeleteDr. Diggins research is very interesting and I found it very useful that he explained background information on the diversity of ecological systems in riparian zone especially in Zoar valley. He identified the four successional stages of development of ecosystem on flood plane. Stand initiation is the first stage on floodplain about 12 years that means trees are starting to grow. Late stand initiation and stem exclusion phase in which if the tree is not favored, the gap is filled by its neighbors, are followed. Understory re initiation is the last stage on upper terrace takes about 120 years. Cohesive corridors are not flood resistant but they offer ecological diversity. Although, flooding may constantly disrupt these habitats and therefore suspend succession, it would be interesting to know how these species survive and start their growth in stand initiation phase.
ReplyDelete