Laserfiche WebLink
4 <br />The Riparian Inventory <br />Nancy Fishbein from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) reported that the entire <br />White River drainage and the mainstem of the Colorado River and its <br />tributaries above Glenwood Springs have been inventoried. The <br />identificaiton of all plants has been confirmed by the C.U. herbarium. Data <br />entry is under way. There is one more field season in the grant. Next, a <br />riparian classification system will be developed. <br />Peter observed that the value of the state participating with TNC in this grant <br />was to see a bridge built between their classification method and the needs of <br />the state. Nancy responded that there is a frustration in this kind of work <br />because you need to know what you have before you can figure out how to <br />classify it. Lee Carlson pointed out that even the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service <br />does not have a riparian classification system, although it does classify <br />wetlands. <br />Peter said there are questions about whether the state needs a riparian or a <br />wetland classification system. There seems to be a fear in the state of an <br />inventory. Nancy said it would seem to be redundant for the state to repeat <br />what TNC has already accomplished. <br />Mike Hart asked if wetlands are being included in the riparian inventory. <br />Nancy responded that wetlands are the most disturbed areas in the state and <br />also the most ecologically diverse. That's why TNC chose to work on them <br />first. Mike asked it both wetlands and riparian areas could be classified <br />according to functions. Kelly Drake asked if we knew what the end product of <br />the inventory should be. <br />Nancy explained that they are creating maps of streams surveyed by stream <br />order where plots are done to determine plant community composition. A <br />list of classifications by plant species is the likely outcome, as well as their <br />relative abundance and elevations. Wildlife issues are not being studied at <br />this time. The inventory will probably be made available to the public. <br />Peter asked Nancy if she would help the state to identify the values of <br />different classification systems, exploring how they are and are not useful. <br />Reeves Brown added that the private landowners will need to understand the <br />classification system and how it might affect them. Once you have this data, <br />how will it be used? Kate Jones suggested that Virginia's Natural Heritage <br />program may have applications in Colorado. Peter asked if different <br />classification systems could be used for different purposes. If the state were to <br />establish a system, what values would we use? Is there some ecological <br />classification scheme that correlates well with functions and values? Kelly <br />responded that, inevitably, everyone comes up with the best scientific <br />definition they can and that this can become very complex. Mike observed <br />that in Colorado, it might be useful to consider which wetlands are man <br />made and which are natural. <br />Wetlands Resource Group Minutes, 2/2/93, Page 2 <br />