Features of Floodplains
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Floodplains are areas of land that run parallel to waterways and lakes. These flat areas are caused by the waters' overflowing their natural banks during times of heavy rain or melting snow. Floodplains have been a popular building spot for centuries for several reasons, and are a benefit to human and animal populations.
Animal Populations
- Floodplains are often home, or close to home, to a variety of small animals. These animals build burrows or nests in these areas and exist by eating the plant life and smaller animals or insects that also inhabit the floodplain. Fish use the small pools and shallow areas created by the floodplains for spawning and feeding.
Plant Life
- Plants of many varieties grow well in the nutrient-rich areas located along rivers. Crops such as soybeans and corn are also often found in the floodplains, as these plants are able to withstand wetter areas and as such are a staple crop for the farmers living nearby. Trees, such as cypresses, that are able to withstand floodwaters are also found in floodplains.
Rich Soil Composition
- Soil found on floodplains is rich in nutrients. This loose, nutrient-rich soil is known as "alluvial soil" and is often harvested to boost the fertility of other farmlands, although some crops are planted directly in the floodplains to take advantage of the nutrients. Historically, the nutrients in the soil along rivers would draw settlers, and many small villages were built on or near floodplains.
Human Populations
- Humans have used floodplains for farming and building for centuries. These areas are rich in soil that provides stronger, healthier crop harvests, support larger fish populations and provide flatter building areas. Floodplains have also been restructured by people to provide easier travel, harvesting and transportation of goods and materials by building canals or by restructuring the water's banks. Dams and levies have also been built on floodplains to help control the waters during flood seasons.
Read more: Features of Floodplains | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8092391_features-floodplains.html#ixzz1cXRUBevf
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