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Introduction
The goal of the 3R2N project is to promote
understanding of preservation and restoration of green infrastructure
in the Three Rivers area. By accurately identifying and
understanding the distribution and abundance
of plant species along our rivers,
planners and citizens will be better informed to discuss opportunities
for restoration and implement ecologically informed riverbank
management.This assessment summary
compliments the 2000
Riverbank Conditions
Report and addresses woody
plant biodiversity along riverbanks in the Pittsburgh
Pool. This assessment establishes baseline data for defining
the quality and types of habitats present by looking at streambank
woody vegetation and mapping their distribution in the
region.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity describes the wealth and variety
of plants, animals, and microorganisms found in an area. The first
step in understanding the biodiversity of an area is to identify
the species found there. Since groups of woody species are used
by ecologists to define terrestrial habitat types, we have focused
our data collection on the identification and association of woody
species along the rivers. Individual woody species can be used
as indicators of habitat quality (soil types, disturbance level,
soil moisture, etc.). Groups of plant species found in association
with one another indicate specific habitat types. In addition
to the identification of all woody vegetation, we make special
note of all non-native plant species, woody or herbaceous. The
presence of non-native plants can be an indication of changes
in the ecological conditions of an area -- including repeated
habitat disturbance, changes in habitat conditions, or local loss
of native species. Some of the non-native plants present
along our riverbanks have become invasive and are considered undesirable
for these reasons. (Examples of these invasive plants include
Japanese knotweed and purple loosestrife.) Some of the most important
issues in urban biodiversity -- habitat restoration and development
-- relate to the control of introduced species, particularly those
that are becoming invasive species. Understanding the relative
distribution and abundance of native and introduced species will
be of vital importance for preserving local biodiversity as riverbank
development continues.
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Distribution
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