The Mancos River is the only perennial stream of Mesa Verde National Park and is a vital water source for flora and fauna. Mapping of the riparian shrubs is an important component to understanding the ecological state of the riparian zone, and will ultimately be used to inform future land management and restoration decisions.

1. MAPPING RIPARIAN SHRUBS
OF THE MANCOS RIVER:
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Angela Yragui
Geoscientists in the Parks
GIS Technician/Biological Technician

2. Mesa Verde National Park

4. Why should we care about the
Mancos River?

6. Degradation of the Riparian Zone
Trespassing Cattle in Mancos River Canyon, July 1992

7. Past
Restoration
Efforts

8. Ongoing
restoration
questions

9. Why did we
map riparian
shrubs?
• Fill a research need
o Make better-informed
management and
restoration decisions

10. Mancos River:
Suitable beaver
habitat?
Diagram Credit: Emily Fairfax

11. Field Methods
• Field Protocol
• Trimble Juno SB
o created a data dictionary
• Recorded species, height, cover
class

12. Salix exigua
(Coyote Willow)

13. Shepherdia argentea
(Silver Buffaloberry)

14. Rhus aromatica
(Skunkbush)

15. Two Other Willow Species Identified
Salix lucida lasiandra
(Pacific Willow)
Salix ligulifolia
(Strapleaf Willow)

16. Results

17. Beavers!

20. 65%
24%
11%
Area by Species
Coyote
Willow
Buffaloberry
Skunkbush
Coyote Willow 12.58 acres
Buffaloberry 4.60 acres
Skunkbush 2.23 acres

21. Examining the
Data by Cover
Class

22. Return of
S. argentea
(Buffaloberry)

23. 72% decrease in acreage
of Riparian Zone
Historic Riparian Zone based on
LANDFIRE predicted vegetation data

25. Recommendations
• Reverse the lowering of the water table
o Install Beaver Dam Analogs
• Establish minimum flow standards with
upstream neighbors
• Map opposite side of the river
• Study Beavers that are currently
occupying the Mancos River
o Response to low flows
o Periodically monitor current beaver
dams and response to next year’s
peak flows

26. Thank you
• Tova Spector
• The Vegetation Crew (Kevin, James, Matt, Julia)
• Marilyn Colyer
• George San Miguel
• Steve Monroe
• Wade Newman
• Dustin Kane
• Sheldon Baker

27. Contact Information
Angela Yragui
angelayragui@gmail.com
(206)412-2016