Earth Sciences

Los ciénegas –
how can they withstand big floods?
Plants protect stream beds

James B. Heffernan

Arizona State University

Dissertation Title: Wetlands as an alternative stable state in desert streams
My dissertation evaluated the process of wetland formation in desert streams in the context of alternative stable state theory (‘tipping points’), and demonstrated that plants, at sufficient density, can stabilize desert stream channels and allow the development and persistence of wetlands (ciénegas).