Occurrence patterns of riparian plants and their significance to water resource development

Data were collected on an alluvial floodplain in Central California to evaluate relationships between streamflow and distribution of common plant species. Analysis showed that species differed in location on the floodplain and tolerance to the effects of flooding. Three floodplain zones each had characteristic species. Water resource development may affect the streamflow regime in these zones and consequently may affect the distribution and abundance of different species.