XVI International Botanical Congess

This study documented the vascular plant community within a restored floodplain habitat of the Abiaca Creek drainage basin, MS, USA. The study area has undergone construction of 17km of setback levees to enlarge the floodplain, restoring overbank flooding. The purpose of the restoration is to naturally trap sediments entering a National Wildlife Refuge and create bottomland habitat. The floristic survey was conducted in the 1998 growing season along eight transects, two in the old floodplain, two on the ridge where the stream leaves the MS loess hills and enters the delta, two in the riparian zone, and two in the new floodplain. Species composition, frequency and percent cover were recorded using 40-0.25m2 quadrats. These data show most species sampled were native herbaceous perennials.