Rivers regularly overflow their banks as snow melts and heavy rains fall in the spring. Storm-related flooding may occur almost anytime. Low areas near the river hold and absorb waters until they can recede again.
Only certain plants can cope with such flooding. Floodplain forests contain cottonwood, silver maple and sycamore trees, with ostrich fern or stinging nettles growing underneath them.
Forests near the rivers are important stopover areas for migrating songbirds.
Since silt is regularly deposited, rich soils have developed. Much of what was previously floodplain forest has been converted to agriculture. IN some areas, dikes have been built to keep the flood waters away from development; this shunts the flood problem elsewhere.
Regular disturbance leaves these forests especially vulnerable to invasive plants that establish on disturbed soil.
Discussion Question: In what ways have people helped floodplains
and in what way have people harmed floodplains?