Riparian and wetland vegetation has structural, age, and species diversity characteristic of the stage of channel succession and is resilient and capable of recovering from natural and human disturbance in order to provide forage and cover, capture sediment, dissipate energy, and provide for groundwater recharge.
THIS MEANS THAT:
Wyoming has highly varied riparian and wetland systems on public lands. These systems vary from large rivers to small streams and from springs to large wet meadows. These systems are in various stages of natural cycles and may also reflect other disturbance that is either localized or widespread throughout the watershed. Riparian vegetation captures sediments and associated materials, thus enhancing the nutrient cycle by capturing and utilizing nutrients that would otherwise move through a system unused.
INDICATORS MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Erosion and deposition rate
Channel morphology and floodplain function
Channel succession and erosion cycle
Vegetative cover
Plant composition and diversity (species, age class, structure, successional stages, desired plant community, etc.)
Bank stability
Woody debris and instream cover
Bare ground and litter
The above indicators are applied as appropriate to the potential of the ecological site.