The seed sprouts in the spring and continues the life process. Station 4 Floods Flooding is the powerful ecological force that shapes and nurtures river-bottom forests. Heavy rainfall in the drainage basin will cause Bridge Creek to flood over its banks and wash through the area where you are standing. The rushing water washes away soil from one place, then re-deposits it elsewhere. To a river-bottom forest, this is similar to a farmer tilling and fertilizing a field.
New land is exposed for new growth and water brings both nutrients and new seeds to the soils.
The plants and trees that live in a river-bottom forest have strong roots and other ecological adaptations that enable them to survive the rushing water and regular soil changes. Notice the thick, strong roots holding the trees in the soil. The frogs, turtles, toads, lizards, skinks and other animals that live here also have adapted to flooding and aquatic life. They burrow, swim or climb the plants to get above or below the water when flooding occurs. Here is a good example of the soft, spongy type of soil know as humus.