The invasive species Tamarix first attracted the public eye in the 1990's when it was suspected of contributing to widespread drought and wildfires in the Western United States. Once purported to consume as much water as entire cities, very few plant species have received as much scientific, public, and political discussion and debate as Tamarix. Written by 44 of the field's most prominent scholars and scientists, this volume compiles 25 essays on this fascinating species--its biology, ecology, politics, management, and the ethical issues involved with designating a particular species as "good" or "bad". The book analyzes the controversy surrounding the Tamarisk's role in our ecosystems and what should be done about it.

To effectively manage natural resources within watersheds, it is often necessary to establish vegetated buffer zones to protect aquatic systems from land-use activities that occur in uplands. The majority of inland Corps of Engineers civil works projects are constructed along streams and rivers that have adjacent riparian corridors. There is increasing interest in the value of riparian areas as corridors and buffer strips on Corps lands, especially as potential wildlife habitat. These landscape features typically comprise a very small proportion of the landscape, but they provide essential habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Many riparian buffer zones and corridors on Corps lands are badly in need of restoration and management. However, Corps project managers currently have only limited information and few guidelines on design criteria.

To effectively manage natural resources within watersheds, it is often necessary to establish vegetated buffer zones to protect aquatic systems from land-use activities that occur in uplands. The majority of inland Corps of Engineers civil works projects are constructed along streams and rivers that have adjacent riparian corridors. There is increasing interest in the value of riparian areas as corridors and buffer strips on Corps lands, especially as potential wildlife habitat. These landscape features typically comprise a very small proportion of the landscape, but they provide essential habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Many riparian buffer zones and corridors on Corps lands are badly in need of restoration and management. However, Corps project managers currently have only limited information and few guidelines on design criteria.

This volume presents 135 of the papers presented at the 1981 California Riparian Systems Conference. The papers address all aspects of riparian systems: habitat, wildlife, land management, land use policy planning, conservation and water resource management.

Historically the management of public lands from a multiple use perspective has led to a system that emphasizes those habitat components or faunal elements that primarily resulted in some sort of definable economic value. While this often benefitted other species that were not even considered in the original prescriptions, it also negatively impacted others. We no longer can afford to take this simplistic view of ecosystem management. We need to use a more holistic approach where ecological landscapes are considered as units, and land management practices incorporate all elements into an integrated policy. This includes examining the impacts of proposed land uses on amphibian, reptile, and small mammal populations.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that wetlands be protected from degradation because of their important ecological functions including maintenance of high water quality and provision of fish and wildlife habitat. However, this protection generally does not encompass riparian areasâ€"the lands bordering rivers and lakesâ€"even though they often provide the same functions as wetlands. Growing recognition of the similarities in wetland and riparian area functioning and the differences in their legal protection led the NRC in 1999 to undertake a study of riparian areas, which has culminated in Riparian Areas: Functioning and Strategies for Management. The report is intended to heighten awareness of riparian areas commensurate with their ecological and societal values. The primary conclusion is that, because riparian areas perform a disproportionate number of biological and physical functions on a unit area basis, restoration of riparian functions along America's waterbodies should be a national goal.