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The Riparian Zone

The Riparian Zone. 9 th Grade EIC Lesson September 16, 2010. Riparian Zone. What is a Riparian Zone?. A riparian zone is the terrestrial ecosystem adjacent to a river or stream The Latin word ‘ripa’ means ‘river bank’. What is an Ecosystem?.

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The Riparian Zone

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  1. The Riparian Zone 9th Grade EIC Lesson September 16, 2010

  2. Riparian Zone

  3. What is a Riparian Zone? • A riparian zone is the terrestrial ecosystem adjacent to a river or stream • The Latin word ‘ripa’ means ‘river bank’

  4. What is an Ecosystem? • An ecosystem consists of all the organisms living in a particular area (biotic factors), as well as all the nonliving, physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water, and sunlight (abiotic factors).

  5. How Does a Healthy Stream and Riparian Zone Look? • The water is clear (no sedimentation) • The stream is shaded • There are a variety of flora (plants) & fauna (animals) because of the rich soils present in the riparian zone.

  6. Variety of Flora & Fauna

  7. Why are Riparian Zones Important? • They help to dissipate stream energy

  8. Why are Riparian Zones Important? • They are natural biofilters • Protecting rivers & streams from • Sedimentation • Runoff pollutants • erosion

  9. What are Biofilters? • Biofilters use living material to capture and biologically degrade process pollutants.

  10. Biofilter for Eliminating Odorous Gases

  11. Threats to Riparian Zones • Logging • Over grazing • Agriculture • Building Dams • Human Development

  12. Settling out of fine particles suspended in water What is Sedimentation?

  13. How Does Runoff Pollution Occur? • It occurs when rainwater, snowmelt or irrigation water doesn't soak into the ground, but instead runs off the land or developed surfaces, carrying pollutants into creeks, streams, rivers and sounds.

  14. Riparian Zone with Erosion Problem

  15. Riparian Zones Improve Water Quality • Not only of streams & rivers • But also of groundwater

  16. Healthy Riparian Zone

  17. An Unhealthy Riparian Zone

  18. Unhealthy to Healthy

  19. What are Some Riparian Zones in Our Area? • The banks of the South River • The banks of the Chattahoochee River

  20. Your Turn • What is a Riparian Zone?

  21. A Riparian Zone is…. • A riparian zone is the terrestrial ecosystem adjacent to a river or stream.

  22. How Do Riparian Zones Improve Water Quality? • By preventing sedimentation and keeping runoff pollutants from entering streams & rivers.

  23. Riparian Zones Improve Water Quality….. • Of streams & rivers • Of Groundwater • True or False?

  24. Riparian Zones Not Only Improve Water Quality • Of streams & rivers • But also…. • Of Groundwater

  25. True or False? Wetlands are considered Riparian Zones.

  26. Riparian Zones…. • Are classified as wetlands.

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