riparian zone

   - Riparian forests are primarily situated alongside rivers or streams, with varying degrees of proximity to the water's edge.

   - These ecosystems are intimately connected with dynamic water flow and soil processes, influencing their characteristics.

   - Riparian forests feature a diverse combination of elements, including:

   - Mesic terrestrial vegetation (vegetation adapted to moist conditions).

   - Dependent animal life, relying on the riparian environment for habitat and resources.

   - Local microclimate influenced by the presence of water bodies.

   - The vegetation in riparian forests exhibits a multi-layered structure.

   - Moisture-dependent trees are the dominant feature, giving these forests a unique appearance, especially in savanna regions.

   - These moisture-dependent trees define the landscape, accompanied by a variety of mesic understorey, shrub, and ground cover species.

   - Riparian forests often host plant species that have high moisture requirements.

   - The flora typically includes species native to the region, adapted to the moist conditions provided by proximity to water bodies.

In summary, riparian forests are characterized by their location along waterways, their intricate interplay with water and soil dynamics, a diverse array of vegetation layers, and a plant composition favoring moisture-dependent species.File:Riparian strip.jpg]]

File:Pisuerga2.JPG in Spain]]

Riparian zones dissipate stream energy.{{Cite web |title=The Importance of Streamside Plants & Trees {{!}} Shore Stewards {{!}} Washington State University |url=https://shorestewards.cw.wsu.edu/faq/the-importance-of-streamside-plants-trees/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Shore Stewards |language=en-US}} The meandering curves of a river, combined with vegetation and root systems, slow the flow of water, which reduces soil erosion and flood damage.{{Cite web |last=Christos |date=2017-01-23 |title=What are Riparian Areas and Why are They Important? |url=https://tucanada.org/2017/01/23/what-are-riparian-areas-and-why-are-they-important/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Trout Unlimited Canada |language=en-US}} Sediment is trapped, reducing suspended solids to create less turbid water, replenish soils, and build stream banks.{{Cite web |title=Riparian Mitigation – Mitico |url=https://miticomo.com/mitigation/riparian-mitigation/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |language=en-US}} Pollutants are filtered from surface runoff, enhancing water quality via biofiltration.{{Cite web |date=2016-08-18 |title=The Riparian Zone |url=https://slco.org/watershed/streams-101/the-riparian-zone/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=slco.org |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last1=Swanson |first1=S. |last2=Kozlowski |first2=D. |last3=Hall |first3=R. |last4=Heggem |first4=D. |last5=Lin |first5=J. |date=2017-03-01 |title=Riparian proper functioning condition assessment to improve watershed management for water quality |url=https://www.jswconline.org/content/72/2/168 |journal=Journal of Soil and Water Conservation |language=en |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=168–182 |doi=10.2489/jswc.72.2.168 |issn=0022-4561 |pmc=6145829 |pmid=30245529}}

The riparian zones also provide wildlife habitat, increased biodiversity, and wildlife corridors,{{Cite web |title=Riparian Habitat {{!}} Wildlife Heritage Foundation |url=https://www.wildlifeheritage.org/riparian-habitats-life-blood-for-the-overall-ecosystem/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=www.wildlifeheritage.org}} enabling aquatic and riparian organisms to move along river systems avoiding isolated communities.{{Cite web |last=Kjartanson |first=Meghan |title=Riparian zones |url=https://forestryandland.gov.scot/blog/riparian-zones |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Forestry and Land Scotland |language=en-GB}} Riparian vegetation can also provide forage for wildlife and livestock.

Riparian zones are also important for the fish that live within rivers, such as brook and charr.{{Cite book |url=https://www.nap.edu/read/10327/chapter/2 |title=Read "Riparian Areas: Functions and Strategies for Management" at NAP.edu |date=2002 |doi=10.17226/10327 |isbn=978-0-309-08295-2 |language=en}} Impacts on riparian zones can affect fish, and restoration is not always sufficient to recover fish populations.{{cite journal |last1=Sievers |first1=Michael |last2=Hale |first2=Robin |last3=Morrongiello |first3=John R. |title=Do trout respond to riparian change? A meta-analysis with implications for restoration and management |journal=Freshwater Biology |date=March 2017 |volume=62 |issue=3 |pages=445–457 |doi=10.1111/fwb.12888|doi-access=free |bibcode=2017FrBio..62..445S |hdl=10072/409161 |hdl-access=free }}{{Cite journal |last1=Sabo |first1=John L. |last2=Sponseller |first2=Ryan |last3=Dixon |first3=Mark |last4=Gade |first4=Kris |last5=Harms |first5=Tamara |last6=Heffernan |first6=Jim |last7=Jani |first7=Andrea |last8=Katz |first8=Gabrielle |last9=Soykan |first9=Candan |last10=Watts |first10=James |last11=Welter |first11=Jill |date=2005 |title=Riparian Zones Increase Regional Species Richness by Harboring Different, Not More, Species |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3450987 |journal=Ecology |volume=86 |issue=1 |pages=56–62 |doi=10.1890/04-0668 |jstor=3450987 |bibcode=2005Ecol...86...56S |hdl=10161/8362 |issn=0012-9658|hdl-access=free }}

They provide native landscape irrigation by extending seasonal or perennial flows of water.{{Cite web |title=Chapter 8 : Riparian Zone {{!}} Friends of Reservoirs |url=https://www.friendsofreservoirs.com/science/best-management-practices-manual/chapter-8-riparian-zone/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=www.friendsofreservoirs.com}} Nutrients from terrestrial vegetation (e.g. plant litter and insect drop) are transferred to aquatic food webs, and are a vital source of energy in aquatic food webs.{{Cite journal |last1=Pusey |first1=Bradley J. |last2=Arthington |first2=Angela H. |date=2003 |title=Importance of the riparian zone to the conservation and management of freshwater fish: a review |url=https://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/mf02041 |journal=Marine and Freshwater Research |language=en |volume=54 |issue=1 |pages=1–16 |doi=10.1071/mf02041 |bibcode=2003MFRes..54....1P |hdl=10072/6041 |issn=1448-6059|hdl-access=free }} The vegetation surrounding the stream helps to shade the water, mitigating water temperature changes. Thinning of riparian zones has been observed to cause increased maximum temperatures, higher fluctuations in temperature, and elevated temperatures being observed more frequently and for longer periods of time.{{Cite journal |last1=Roon |first1=David A. |last2=Dunham |first2=Jason B. |last3=Groom |first3=Jeremiah D. |date=2021-02-16 |title=Shade, light, and stream temperature responses to riparian thinning in second-growth redwood forests of northern California |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=e0246822 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0246822 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=7886199 |pmid=33592001 |bibcode=2021PLoSO..1646822R |doi-access=free }} Extreme changes in water temperature can have lethal effects on fish and other organisms in the area. The vegetation also contributes wood debris to streams, which is important to maintaining geomorphology.{{Cite journal |last1=Vidon |first1=Philippe G. F. |last2=Hill |first2=Alan R. |date=2004-06-15 |title=Landscape controls on the hydrology of stream riparian zones |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022169404000150 |journal=Journal of Hydrology |language=en |volume=292 |issue=1 |pages=210–228 |doi=10.1016/j.jhydrol.2004.01.005 |bibcode=2004JHyd..292..210V |issn=0022-1694|url-access=subscription }}

Riparian zones also act as important buffers against nutrient loss in the wake of natural disasters, such as hurricanes.{{Cite web |title=Establishment and restoration of riparian buffers — English |url=https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/metadata/adaptation-options/establishment-and-restoration-of-riparian-buffer-s |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Riparian Buffers for Field Crops, Hay, and Pastures |url=https://extension.psu.edu/riparian-buffers-for-field-crops-hay-and-pastures |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=extension.psu.edu |language=en}} Many of the characteristics of riparian zones that reduce the inputs of nitrogen from agricultural runoff also retain the necessary nitrogen in the ecosystem after hurricanes threaten to dilute and wash away critical nutrients.{{Cite journal |last=McDowell |first=William H. |date=2001-12-01 |title=Hurricanes, people, and riparian zones: controls on nutrient losses from forested Caribbean watersheds |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037811270100514X |journal=Forest Ecology and Management |series=New Directions in Tropical Forest Research |language=en |volume=154 |issue=3 |pages=443–451 |doi=10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00514-X |bibcode=2001ForEM.154..443M |issn=0378-1127|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite web |title=Riparian Buffers - an overview {{!}} ScienceDirect Topics |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/riparian-buffers |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=www.sciencedirect.com}}{{Cite journal |last1=Wu |first1=Shaoteng |last2=Bashir |first2=Muhammad Amjad |last3=Raza |first3=Qurat-Ul-Ain |last4=Rehim |first4=Abdur |last5=Geng |first5=Yucong |last6=Cao |first6=Lei |date=2023 |title=Application of riparian buffer zone in agricultural non-point source pollution control—A review |journal=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |volume=7 |doi=10.3389/fsufs.2023.985870 |issn=2571-581X |doi-access=free |bibcode=2023FrSFS...785870W }}

From a social aspect, riparian zones contribute to nearby property values through amenity and views, and they improve enjoyment for footpaths and bikeways through supporting foreshoreway networks. Space is created for riparian sports such as fishing, swimming, and launching for vessels and paddle craft.{{Cite web |title=Importance of Riparian Buffers |url=https://dep.wv.gov/WWE/getinvolved/sos/Pages/RiparianMagic.aspx |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=dep.wv.gov |language=en}}

The riparian zone acts as a sacrificial erosion buffer to absorb impacts of factors including climate change, increased runoff from urbanization, and increased boat wake without damaging structures located behind a setback zone.{{Citation |last=Ma |first=Maohua |title=Riparian Buffer Zone for Wetlands |date=2016 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6172-8_53-7 |work=The Wetland Book: I: Structure and Function, Management and Methods |pages=1–9 |editor-last=Finlayson |editor-first=C. Max |access-date=2023-05-22 |place=Dordrecht |publisher=Springer Netherlands |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-94-007-6172-8_53-7 |isbn=978-94-007-6172-8 |editor2-last=Everard |editor2-first=Mark |editor3-last=Irvine |editor3-first=Kenneth |editor4-last=McInnes |editor4-first=Robert J.|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite web |title=Riparian vegetation {{!}} environmentdata.org |url=http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/vocabpref:21475 |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=www.environmentdata.org}}

"Riparian zones play a crucial role in preserving the vitality of streams and rivers, especially when faced with challenges stemming from catchment land use, including agricultural and urban development. These changes in land utilization can exert adverse impacts on the health of streams and rivers and, consequently, contribute to a decline in their reproductive rates."

The protection of riparian zones is often a consideration in logging operations.{{Cite web |url=https://extension.unh.edu/goodforestry/html/4-3.htm |access-date=27 August 2023 |title=Forest Management in Riparian Areas |website=extension.unh.edu}} The undisturbed soil, soil cover, and vegetation provide shade, plant litter, and woody material and reduce the delivery of soil eroded from the harvested area.{{Cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Rinku |last2=Tiwari |first2=A. K. |last3=Singh |first3=G. S. |date=2021-04-01 |title=Managing riparian zones for river health improvement: an integrated approach |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11355-020-00436-5 |journal=Landscape and Ecological Engineering |language=en |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=195–223 |doi=10.1007/s11355-020-00436-5 |bibcode=2021LaEcE..17..195S |s2cid=234186133 |issn=1860-188X|url-access=subscription }} Factors such as soil types and root structures, climatic conditions, and vegetative cover determine the effectiveness of riparian buffering. Activities associated with logging, such as sediment input, introduction or removal of species, and the input of polluted water all degrade riparian zones.{{Cite journal |last=Bren |first=L. J. |date=1993-10-01 |title=Riparian zone, stream, and floodplain issues: a review |url=https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694%2893%2990113-N |journal=Journal of Hydrology |language=en |volume=150 |issue=2 |pages=277–299 |doi=10.1016/0022-1694(93)90113-N |bibcode=1993JHyd..150..277B |issn=0022-1694|url-access=subscription }}

File:Willow Creek, Trout Creek Mountains, Oregon.jpg, part of the Burns Bureau of Land Management District in southeastern Oregon. The creek provides critical habitat for trout.]]

The assortment of riparian zone trees varies from those of wetlands and typically consists of plants that are either emergent aquatic plants, or herbs, trees and shrubs that thrive in proximity to water.{{Cite web |title=Beavers Ecosystem in Toronto |url=https://prezi.com/cpep0dh6rcxg/beavers-ecoysystem-in-toronto/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=prezi.com |language=en}} In South Africa's fynbos biome, Riparian ecosystem are heavily invaded by alien woody plants.{{Cite journal |last1=Ruwanza |first1=S. |last2=Gaertner |first2=M. |last3=Esler |first3=K. J. |last4=Richardson |first4=D. M. |date=2013-09-01 |title=The effectiveness of active and passive restoration on recovery of indigenous vegetation in riparian zones in the Western Cape, South Africa: A preliminary assessment |journal=South African Journal of Botany |volume=88 |pages=132–141 |doi=10.1016/j.sajb.2013.06.022 |issn=0254-6299|doi-access=free |bibcode=2013SAJB...88..132R }} Riparian plant communities along lowland streams exhibit remarkable species diversity, driven by the unique environmental gradients inherent to these ecosystems.{{Cite journal |last1=Garssen |first1=Annemarie G. |last2=Verhoeven |first2=Jos T. A. |last3=Soons |first3=Merel B. |date=May 2014 |title=Effects of climate-induced increases in summer drought on riparian plant species: a meta-analysis |journal=Freshwater Biology |language=en |volume=59 |issue=5 |pages=1052–1063 |doi=10.1111/fwb.12328 |issn=0046-5070 |pmc=4493900 |pmid=26180267|bibcode=2014FrBio..59.1052G }}

Riparian forest can be found in Benin, West Africa. In Benin, where the savanna ecosystem prevails, "riparian forests" include various types of woodlands, such as semi-deciduous forests, dry forests, open forests, and woodland savannas. These woodlands can be found alongside rivers and streams.{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |url=http://www.fao.org/home/en |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=FAOHome |language=en}} In Nigeria, you can also discover riparian zones within the Ibadan region of Oyo state. Ibadan, one of the oldest towns in Africa, covers a total area of 3,080 square kilometers and is characterized by a network of perennial water streams that create these valuable riparian zones. In the research conducted by Adeoye et al. (2012) on land use changes in Southwestern Nigeria, it was observed that 46.18 square kilometers of the area are occupied by water bodies. Additionally, most streams and rivers in this region are accompanied by riparian forests. Nevertheless, the study also identified a consistent reduction in the extent of these riparian forests over time, primarily attributed to a significant deforestation rate.{{Cite journal |last1=Borisade |first1=Tolulope Victor |last2=Odiwe |first2=Anthony Ifechukwude |last3=Akinwumiju |first3=Akinola Shola |last4=Uwalaka |first4=Nelson Obinna |last5=Orimoogunje |first5=Oluwagbenga Isaac |date=2021-09-01 |title=Assessing the impacts of land use on riparian vegetation dynamics in Osun State, Nigeria |journal=Trees, Forests and People |volume=5 |pages=100099 |doi=10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100099 |issn=2666-7193|doi-access=free |bibcode=2021TFP.....500099B }} In Nigeria, according to Momodu et al. (2011), there has been a notable decline of about 50% in the riparian forest coverage within the period of 1978 to 2000. This reduction is primarily attributed to alterations in land use and land cover. Additionally, their research indicates that if current trends continue, the riparian forests may face further depletion, potentially leading to their complete disappearance by the year 2040. Riparian zones can also be found in Cape Agulhas region of South Africa.{{Cite web |title=ScienceDirect.com {{!}} Science, health and medical journals, full text articles and books. |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=www.sciencedirect.com}} Riparian areas along South African rivers have experienced significant deterioration as a result of human activities. Similar to many other developed and developing areas worldwide, the extensive building of dams in upstream river areas and the extraction of water for irrigation purposes have led to diminished water flows and changes in the riparian environment.

Herbaceous Perennial:

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Peltandra virginica – Arrow Arum
• Sagittaria lancifolia – Arrowhead
• Carex stricta – Tussock Sedge
• Iris virginica – Southern Blue Flag Iris

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Herbaceous Perennial:{{cite web|title=List of trees and plants |format=xls |access-date=2010-09-29 |url=http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/SolidWaste/MasterComposters/NativePlants/Documents/treeslist.xls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718190816/http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/SolidWaste/MasterComposters/NativePlants/Documents/treeslist.xls |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }}{{unreliable source?|reason=originally mislabeled as "USDA Silvics", which is a site on forestry; actually a government site giving a list of trees used in plantings?|date=September 2016}}

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• Sagittaria latifolia – Duck Potato
• Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani – Softstem Bulrush
• Scirpus americanus – Three-square Bulrush
• Eleocharis quadrangulata – Square-stem Spikerush
• Eleocharis obtusa – Spikerush

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In western North America and the Pacific coast, the riparian vegetation includes:

Riparian trees{{cite book|last=Cooke|first=Sarah Spear|title=A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon|year=1997|publisher=Seattle Audubon Society|location=Seattle, Washington|isbn=978-0-914516-11-8}}

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• Sequoia sempervirens – Coast Redwood
• Thuja plicata – Western Redcedar
• Abies grandis – Grand Fir
• Picea sitchensis – Sitka Spruce
• Chamaecyparis lawsoniana – Port Orford-cedar
• Taxus brevifolia – Pacific Yew
• Populus fremontii – Fremont Cottonwood
• Populus trichocarpa – Black Cottonwood
• Platanus racemosa – California Sycamore
• Alnus rhombifolia – White Alder
• Alnus rubra – Red Alder
• Acer macrophyllum – Big-leaf Maple
• Fraxinus latifolia – Oregon ash
• Prunus emarginata – Bitter Cherry
• Salix lasiolepis – Arroyo Willow
• Salix lucida – Pacific Willow
• Quercus agrifolia – Coast live oak
• Quercus garryana – Garry oak
• Populus tremuloides – Quaking Aspen
• Umbellularia californica – California Bay Laurel
• Cornus nuttallii – Pacific Dogwood

{{Div col end}}

Riparian shrubs

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• Acer circinatum – Vine Maple
• Ribes spp. – Gooseberies and Currants
• Rosa pisocarpa – Swamp Rose or Cluster Rose
• Symphoricarpos albus – Snowberry
• Spiraea douglasii – Douglas spirea
• Rubus spp. – Blackberries, Raspberries, Thimbleberry, Salmonberry
• Rhododendron occidentale – Western Azalea
• Oplopanax horridus – Devil's Club
• Oemleria cerasiformis – Indian Plum, Osoberry
• Lonicera involucrata – Twinberry
• Cornus stolonifera – Red-osier Dogwood
• Salix spp. – Willows

{{Div col end}}

Other plants

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

• Polypodium – Polypody Ferns
• Polystichum – Sword Ferns
• Woodwardia – Giant Chain Ferns
• Pteridium – Goldback Ferns
• Dryopteris – Wood Ferns
• Adiantum – Maidenhair Ferns
• Carex spp. – Sedges
• Juncus spp. – Rushes
• Festuca californica – California Fescue bunchgrass
• Leymus condensatus – Giant Wildrye bunchgrass
• Melica californica – California Melic bunchgrass
• Mimulus spp. – Monkeyflower and varieties
• Aquilegia spp. – Columbine

{{Div col end}}

In Asia there are different types of riparian vegetation,{{Cite journal |last1=Zhao |first1=Qinghe |last2=Ding |first2=Shengyan |last3=Liu |first3=Qian |last4=Wang |first4=Shuoqian |last5=Jing |first5=Yaru |last6=Lu |first6=Mengwen |date=2020-08-13 |title=Vegetation influences soil properties along riparian zones of the Beijiang River in Southern China |url=https://peerj.com/articles/9699 |journal=PeerJ |language=en |volume=8 |pages=e9699 |doi=10.7717/peerj.9699 |s2cid=221653372 |issn=2167-8359|doi-access=free }} but the interactions between hydrology and ecology are similar as occurs in other geographic areas.{{cite web | title = Riparian Vegetation Along the Middle and Lower Zones of the Chalakkudy River, Kerala, India | publisher = Kerala Research Programme Centre for Development Studies | access-date = 2009-10-02 | url = http://krpcds.org/report/amita.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090319060415/http://krpcds.org/report/amita.pdf | archive-date = 2009-03-19 }}

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

• Carex spp. – Sedges
• Juncus spp. – Rushes

{{Div col end}}

File:Swamp Oak Forest.jpg|250px]]

Typical riparian vegetation in temperate New South Wales, Australia include:

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

• Acacia melanoxylon – Blackwood
• Acacia pravissima – Ovens Wattle
• Acacia rubida – Red Stem Wattle
• Bursaria lasiophylla – Blackthorn
• Callistemon citrinus – Crimson Bottlebrush
• Callistemon sieberi – River Bottlebrush
• Casuarina cunninghamiana – River She-Oak
• Eucalyptus bridgesiana – Apple Box
• Eucalyptus camaldulensis – River Red Gum
• Eucalyptus melliodora – Yellow Box
• Eucalyptus viminalis – Manna Gum
• Kunzea ericoides – Burgan
• Leptospermum obovatum – River Tea-Tree
• Melaleuca ericifolia – Swamp Paperbark

{{Div col end}}

Typical riparian zone trees in Central Europe include:

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

• Acer campestre – Field Maple
• Acer pseudoplatanus – Sycamore Maple
• Alnus glutinosa – Black Alder
• Carpinus betulus – European Hornbeam
• Fraxinus excelsior – European Ash
• Juglans regia – Persian Walnut
• Malus sylvestris – European Wild Apple
• Populus alba – White Poplar
• Populus nigra – Black Poplar
• Quercus robur – Pedunculate Oak
• Salix alba – White Willow
• Salix fragilis – Crack Willow
• Tilia cordata – Small-leaved Lime
• Ulmus laevis – European White Elm
• Ulmus minor – Field Elm

{{Div col end}}

Land clearing followed by floods can quickly erode a riverbank, taking valuable grasses and soils downstream, and later allowing the sun to bake the land dry.{{Cite web |title=Types of erosion |url=https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/soil/erosion/types |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=www.qld.gov.au |language=en}}{{Citation |last1=Dumbrovsky |first1=Miroslav |title=Optimization of Soil Erosion and Flood Control Systems in the Process of Land Consolidation |date=2012-11-21 |url=https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/37815 |work=Research on Soil Erosion |access-date=2023-05-22 |publisher=IntechOpen |language=en |isbn=978-953-51-0839-9 |last2=Korsun |first2=Svatopluk}} Riparian zones can be restored through relocation (of human-made products), rehabilitation, and time. Natural Sequence Farming techniques have been used in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia, in an attempt to restore eroded farms to optimum productivity rapidly.{{Cite journal |last1=Fryirs |first1=Kirstie |last2=Brierley |first2=Gary J. |date=April 2010 |title=Antecedent controls on river character and behaviour in partly confined valley settings: Upper Hunter catchment, NSW, Australia |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.11.015 |journal=Geomorphology |volume=117 |issue=1–2 |pages=106–120 |doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.11.015 |bibcode=2010Geomo.117..106F |issn=0169-555X|url-access=subscription }}

The Natural Sequence Farming technique involves placing obstacles in the water's pathway to lessen the energy of a flood and help the water to deposit soil and seep into the flood zone.{{Cite web |title=Riverbank Restoration {{!}} Helping farmers in Scotland {{!}} Farm Advisory Service |url=https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/water-margins-2/riverbank-restoration/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=FAS |language=en-GB}} Another technique is to quickly establish ecological succession by encouraging fast-growing plants such as "weeds" (pioneer species) to grow.{{Cite web |title=Secondary Succession |url=https://www.vedantu.com/geography/secondary-succession |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=VEDANTU |language=en}} These may spread along the watercourse and cause environmental degradation, but may stabilize the soil, place carbon into the ground, and protect the land from drying. The weeds will improve the streambeds so trees and grasses can return and, ideally, replace the weeds.{{Cite journal |last1=Connell |first1=Joseph H. |last2=Slatyer |first2=Ralph O. |date=1977 |title=Mechanisms of Succession in Natural Communities and Their Role in Community Stability and Organization |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2460259 |journal=The American Naturalist |volume=111 |issue=982 |pages=1119–1144 |doi=10.1086/283241 |jstor=2460259 |bibcode=1977ANat..111.1119C |s2cid=3587878 |issn=0003-0147|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite web |title=Ecological Succession |url=http://yennieapes.weebly.com/ecological-succession.html |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Yennie Ho - Apes :*}} There are several other techniques used by government and non-government agencies to address riparian and streambed degradation, ranging from the installation of bed control structures such as log sills to the use of pin groynes or rock emplacement.{{Cite web |title=Ecological Weed Control |url=https://www.ecofarmingdaily.com/ecological-weed-control/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=EcoFarming Daily |date=12 March 2023 |language=en-US}} Other possible approaches include control of invasive species, monitoring of herbivore activity, and cessation of human activity in a particular zone followed by natural re-vegetation.{{Cite journal |last1=González |first1=Eduardo |last2=Felipe-Lucia |first2=María R. |last3=Bourgeois |first3=Bérenger |last4=Boz |first4=Bruno |last5=Nilsson |first5=Christer |last6=Palmer |first6=Grant |last7=Sher |first7=Anna A. |date=2017-07-01 |title=Integrative conservation of riparian zones |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320716306887 |journal=Biological Conservation |series=Small Natural Features |language=en |volume=211 |pages=20–29 |doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2016.10.035 |bibcode=2017BCons.211...20G |issn=0006-3207|url-access=subscription }} Conservation efforts have also encouraged incorporating the value of ecosystem services provided by riparian zones into management plans, as these benefits have traditionally been absent in the consideration and designing of these plans.{{Cite web |date=2012-06-18 |title=Permaculture Design Principle 8 – Accelerating Succession and Evolution |url=https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/permaculture/permaculture-design-principles/8-accelerating-succession-and-evolution/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Deep Green Permaculture |language=en-US}}

File:Cottonwood Creek, BLM, Oregon, 1988.jpg|alt=A rocky, brown stream bank mostly bare of vegetation, with a few aspen trees in the background|Cottonwood Creek riparian area in southeastern Oregon before restoration, 1988

File:Cottonwood Creek, BLM, Oregon, 2000.jpg|alt=The same stream bank lined with short grasses, with more aspen trees in the background|Cottonwood Creek riparian area during recovery, 2000

File:Cottonwood Creek, BLM, Oregon, 2002.jpg|alt=The same stream bank lined with higher grasses that obscure most of the water, with a thicker aspen grove behind|Cottonwood Creek riparian area after restoration, 2002

{{Portal|Environment|Ecology|Earth sciences|Wetlands}}

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Accropode
• Aquatic ecosystem
• Bioswale
• Bosque
• Canebrake
• Constructed wetland
• Endorheic basin
• Flood-meadow
• Floodplain
• Freshwater swamp forest
• Gallery forest
• Green belt
• Marsh
• Outwelling
• Riparian water rights
• Riparian-zone restoration
• Riprap
• Várzea forest
• Vernal pool
• Vulnerable waters
• Water-meadow
• Wetland

{{Div col end}}

{{Clear}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin|40em}}

• {{cite journal|last1=Nakasone|first1= H.|last2= Kuroda|first2= H.|last3= Kato|first3= T. |last4 =Tabuchi |first4=T. |date=2003|title= Nitrogen removal from water containing high nitrate nitrogen in a paddy field (wetland)|journal=Water Science and Technology| volume=48|issue=10|pages=209–216|doi=10.2166/wst.2003.0576|pmid= 15137172|bibcode= 2003WSTec..48..209N}}
• {{cite journal|last1=Mengis|first1=M.|last2=Schif|first2=S. L.|last3=Harris|first3=M.|last4=English|first4=M. C.|last5=Aravena|first5=R.|last6=Elgood|first6=R. J.|last7=MacLean|first7=A.|title=Multiple Geochemical and Isotopic Approaches for Assessing Ground Water NO₃⁻ Elimination in a Riparian Zone|journal=Ground Water|date=1999|volume=37|issue=3|pages=448–457|doi=10.1111/j.1745-6584.1999.tb01124.x|bibcode=1999GrWat..37..448M |s2cid=131501907 }}
• Parkyn, Stephanie. (2004). Review of Riparian Buffer Zone Effectiveness. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand), www.maf.govt.nz/publications.
• {{cite journal|last1=Tang|first1=C.|last2=Azuma|first2=K.|last3=Iwami|first3=Y.|last4=Ohji|first4=B.|last5=Sakura|first5=Y.|title=Nitrate behaviour in the groundwater of a headwater wetland, Chiba, Japan|journal=Hydrological Processes|date=2004|volume=18|issue=16|pages=3159–3168|doi=10.1002/hyp.5755|bibcode=2004HyPr...18.3159T|s2cid=129664003 }}
• [http://nac.unl.edu/tools/riparianbibliography.htm Riparian Bibliography, National Agroforestry Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424001523/http://nac.unl.edu/tools/riparianbibliography.htm |date=2015-04-24 }}
• [http://nac.unl.edu/buffers/index.html Conservation Buffer Design Guidelines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512105645/http://nac.unl.edu/buffers/index.html |date=2015-05-12 }}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category|Riparian forests}}

• [http://nac.unl.edu/practices/riparianforestbuffers.htm Riparian Forest Buffers, National Agroforestry Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529225708/http://nac.unl.edu/practices/riparianforestbuffers.htm |date=2016-05-29 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090319060415/http://krpcds.org/report/amita.pdf Dissertation on riparian vegetation of Chalakudy River]
• [https://archive.today/20121212224326/https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/ES-Programs/Conservation/Legacy/Riparian/riparian2.html Restoration strategies for riparian habitats, U.S. military]
• [http://www.blm.gov/or/programs/nrst/index.php# National Riparian Service Team, Bureau of Land Management]
• [http://riparianhabitatrestoration.ca/LAME/lvw.htm Riparian Habitat Restoration in the Las Vegas Wash]
• [http://www.health.state.nd.us/rrbrp/ Red River Basin Riparian Project]
• [http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/forst2/mf2724.pdf Riparian Forest Buffers, Kansas State University]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• {{Internet Archive short film|id=org.centerforagroforestry.practices.2|name=Agroforestry Practices – Riparian Forest Buffers (2004)}}

{{River morphology}}

{{Aquatic ecosystem topics}}

{{Biomes}}

{{Wetlands}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Riparian Zone}}

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