Riparian Zone

Information on this page has been adapted from the Streamkeepers Handbook and Modules
Riparian Zone

The Riparian Zone is the very sensitive region surrounding a stream. Vegetation growing here helps to produce bugs, which are a staple diet for fish living in the stream.  A lack of vegetation not only hampers this, but also is a major cause of steam-bank erosion.  Rain and run-off water is absorbed into the ground, and seeps slowly into streams, over a long period of time.  Covering riparian areas (e.g., with black-top, etc) causes run-off to flow directly into the stream, and may cause flash-floods and inconsistent water flows.  In an urban setting, riparian zones can act as pathways for wild animals to move from one watershed to another.

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