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Riparian Community <br />In addition to the the globally impaired New Mexico privet riparian shrubland and skunkbrush <br />riparian shrubland communities, this section of the San Miguel River contains very high quality <br />examples of several other species and communities. Other species include narrowleaf <br />cottonwood, Fremont cottonwood, coyote willow, river birch, skunkbrush, and silver <br />buffaloberry. These communities are in good condition because of the largely intact natural <br />hydrology and relatively low number of invasive species in the riparian zone, relative to other <br />rivers in the western United States. The riparian communities are directly dependent on flows <br />within the river segment to provide periodic flooding and to maintain groundwater levels within <br />the root zone. <br />