Riparian is the way to go

I have gone ahead in the reading and started to read about streams and streamside vegetation zones called riparian buffers. I am more convinced with each passing year of intensive field experience and site visits to literally hundreds of locations that stream side buffers may be the single most important element in streams functionally and ecological integrity.

Riparian zones serve a number of functions such as protection from harmful thermal pollution; they filter sediment, sequester nutrients, diffuse flood flows and provide a unique and rich corridor for wildlife. When I visit a lot of sites the 1st thing I notice is the lack of a riparian buffer residents cut down all the trees so they can have a view of the river or stream. As soon as they cut this vegetation erosion accelerates and they begin losing the property that is so precious to them. Many folks realize they are losing property and opt for stream bank hardening to solve there problems. Stream hardening is ultra expensive and often unsightly. In many case simple riparian vegetation establishment would do just as well. On Wednesday we will get an opportunity to see this 1st hand.