A riparian forest or riparian woodland is a forested or wooded area of land adjacent to a body of water such as a river, stream, pond, lake, marshland, estuary, canal, sink or reservoir.
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Welcome to the Riparian Zone
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Agroforestry Practices - Riparian Forest Buffers
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Riparian Forest Buffers
Transcription
Etymology
The term riparian comes from the Latin word ripa, 'river bank'; technically it only refers to areas adjacent to flowing bodies of water such as rivers, streams, sloughs and estuaries. However, the terms riparian forest and riparian zone have come to include areas adjacent to non-flowing bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, playas and reservoirs.
Characteristics
Riparian forests are subject to frequent inundation.
Riparian forests help control sediment, reduce the damaging effects of flooding and aid in stabilizing stream banks.
Riparian zones are transition zones between an upland terrestrial environment and an aquatic environment. Organisms found in this zone are adapted to periodic flooding. Many not only tolerate it, but require it in order to maintain health and complete their lifestyles.[1]
Threats
Threats to riparian forests:
- Cleared for agricultural use because of the good soil quality
- Historically, trees used as wood fuel for steamships, steam locomotives, etc.[2]
- Urban development (housing, roads, malls, etc.)
- Grazing
- Mining
- Disrupted hydrology, such as dams and levees, which reduces the amount and/or frequency of flooding
- Invasive species
See also
- Bosque
- Gallery forest
- Management of Pacific Northwest riparian forests
- Riparian zone
- Tugay
- Swamp Oak Forests
References
- ^ Molles, M.C. Jr. (2008). Ecology: Concepts and Applications (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. p. 291. ISBN 978-0-07-330976-7.
- ^ https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/docs/cmnt081712/sldmwa/katibahabriefhistoryofriparianforestsinthecentral%20.pdf [bare URL PDF]
External links
- "Assessing the Need for a Riparian Management System (RiMS)"—Iowa State University Extension Bulletin (2002)
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This page was last edited on 18 May 2024, at 14:06