How are the Riparian Zones in Your Neighborhood?
Every stream, whether it is a creek, river or brook, has what is known as a riparian zone; the zone of adjacent land that parallels the stream starting at the stream bank and extending back away from the stream for some distance. That distance usually relates to the portion of the stream's valley that is largely level and covered by the highest floodwaters.
Riparian zones are significant in that they are the interface between stream and upland environments, but they also have their own unique characteristics. These areas provide habitat and food for aquatic communities by way of falling leaves and woody debris. Forested riparian areas provide shade. This is important to maintaining cooler water temperatures which can hold higher levels of dissolved oxygen for aquatic organisms. Riparian zones are often corridors that link patches of other habitats, and they often function as travel routes for wildlife.
In Pennsylvania, and throughout much of North America, the natural condition of riparian zones is forest cover. Maintaining forested riparian areas is extremely important to the health and function of our waterways. Not only do these zones often provide specific habitats for a variety of plants and animals, but they also help to keep sediments and other pollutants from entering the stream. Also, it is important to establish and maintain protective riparian buffers in order to stabilize stream banks and streambeds, to help regulate stream flow by allowing precipitation to infiltrate the soil and recharge the groundwater, and to slow the velocity of runoff.
On your next journey into any countryside, be observant and watch for riparian zones. Assess their condition and determine if you think their conservation is adequate. The best riparian zones are not simply a row of trees on a stream's bank, but exist as a wider band of forestland.
The photo above was taken in the Loyalhanna Creek watershed, Westmoreland County, Pa.
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