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The Geographical Review October 1997, Vol. 87 (4), pp. 468-483 Flood Disturbance and the Distribution of Riparian Species Diversity Jacob Bendix ABSTRACT: Biodiversity varies considerably in Southern Californian riparian vegetation. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis posits greater diversity in settings that are subject to moderate-intensity disturbance. Flood intensity tends to vary systematically in watersheds, potentially imposing patterns of biodiversity. In two study watersheds, species richness increases with flood severity. Diversity, or heterogeneity, is less predictable: Biodiversity patterns in these watersheds are complicated by atypical patterns of flood severity. Although riparian diversity may be intimately dependent on flood disturbance, the relationship is predictable only with due attention to the physiographic details of individual stream networks. Keywords: biodiversity, floods, riparian vegetation, stream power. Dr. BENDIX is an assistant professor of geography at Syracuse University. To contact the author: Professor Jacob Bendix Department of Geography, and Center for Environmental Policy and Administration 144 Eggers Hall Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 13244-1090 Phone: 315.433-2605, 315.433-4227 fax Email: jbendix@maxwell.syr.edu