Ecological Characterization of a Riparian Corridor along the Rio Conchos, Mexico

Restoration of riparian areas is an important step towards improving water flow and water quality of the Rio Conchos in northern Mexico. To provide background data for restoration decisions we characterized the ecological integrity of a 40 km long riparian corridor along the middle Rio Conchos. The characterization consisted of determining dominant species of trees and shrubs, structure, and riparian habitat quality using standard transect sampling and a riparian habitat quality index (QBR index) along the corridor. Our data indicate that while native willow (Salix babilonica) and mesquite (Prosopis grandulosa) are the dominant trees in the riparian zone, habitat degradation is occurring, and that the major sources of negative impacts to riparian habitat are, in order, overgrazing, sewage input, and gravel extraction to river channel. Invasive saltcedar (Tamarisk ramosissima) populate nearby agricultural lands and irrigation canals but have not yet invaded the riparian areas of the middle Rio Conchos. RESUMEN—La protección de áreas ribereñas es un paso importante para el mejoramiento del gasto y calidad del agua del río Conchos, este río localizado en el norte de México. En este estudio, y con el objetivo de obtener datos base para planes de restauración, caracterizamos la