A Healthy Riparian Corridor

The bank and nearby floodplain along a stream is known as a riparian corridor and is extremely important to the health and function of a stream. Riparian corridors, or buffers, filter pollutants before they enter the stream. Healthy riparian buffers consist of various vegetation types such as trees, shrubs and smaller plants. The width of the buffer is also important, with minimum buffer being at least two active channel widths on each side of the stream for many streams. In most Pennsylvania watersheds, the best condition of a riparian corridor is a mature forest.

Other benefits of riparian corridors are:

•  Fallen leaves provide food for macroinvertebrates in the stream food chain
•  Trees provide shade and keep temperatures cool
•  They provide stability for banks and help curb excessive erosion
•  They provide habitat for terrestrial wildlife

Today's photo is of Otter Creek in Mercer County and illustrates a healthy riparian corridor.

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