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Riparian Areas: Functions and Conditions

Explore the functions and conditions of riparian areas, from water storage to wildlife habitat, and learn how to evaluate their health based on physical and biological features.

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Riparian Areas: Functions and Conditions

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  1. Riparian Areas: Functions and Conditions Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana

  2. Riparian Areas • Wetlands • Riparian areas • Overflow areas • Wet meadows • Marshes • Sloughs

  3. Characteristics of Riparian Areas • “Green Zone” – link between aquatic and terrestrial • Water • Landform • Soil • Vegetation

  4. Riparian Areas • More dynamic than uplands • Flooding • Deposition of sediment • Accumulation of organic matter • Dewatering • Changes in location

  5. Functions of Riparian Areas • water storage • flow energy dissipation • water quality • sediment trapping • bank building and maintenance • primary biotic production

  6. Store and Release Water • Soil – acts like sponge • Reduces flooding • Extends time that surface water is available

  7. Dissipate Energy of Flowing Water • Slows water • Vegetation • Woody debris • Large boulders • Cobbles

  8. Provide Water Quality • Natural pollution control Trap sediments (nutrients, pesticides, toxic metals, bacteria)

  9. Trap sediments • Trap sediments – development of new streambanks and bars

  10. Protect soil and water • Shields soil and water from: • Wind • Sunlight • Rain drop impacts

  11. Enhances Productivity • Most productive parts of a landscape

  12. Provide wildlife habitat • Water, food, cover and travel routes • Birds • Mammals • Insects • Fish

  13. Evaluating the Health of Riparian Areas • How well the riparian area carries out the functions • Physical • Biological

  14. Evaluating Physical Features • Channel downcutting • Channel widening • Amount, location, & causes bare ground • Amount of fine materials • Amount of rock

  15. Downcutting • “Incisement” = erodes away the channel bottom

  16. Channel becoming wider & shallower • Banks break down • Stream becomes shallower • Stream temperatures rise

  17. Amount, location, & causes of bare ground • Bare ground – erosion • Noxious weeds • Compaction or bank shearing

  18. Amount of fine materials on channel bottom • Silts, clays, decomposing organic material • Not enough water running

  19. Bank Rock Content • Large rock versus • Sand, silt, small gravel • Management considerations

  20. Biological Features • Types & amounts of plants • How well they fulfill functions • Amount of foraging & browsing • Mix of age classes of wood species

  21. Streambank protection • Vegetation • Slows velocity • Stabilizes streambanks • Reduces erosion

  22. Amount & Types of Vegetation • Canopy cover of desired plants • Noxious weeds

  23. Presence of Trees and Shrubs • Woody plants (trees & shrubs) • Bank stabilizers • Food & cover • Determining appropriate presence

  24. Woody species age class • Distribution of age class • All old trees • All young trees

  25. Degree of Browsing • Excessive use • (50% of current or previous year’s growth)

  26. Woody Draws • Perform functions of riparian areas • Habitat • Cover, food, water • Grazing management plan

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