SoundWater Riparian Zone Tree Planting
The riparian zone refers to the border of moist soils and plants that exist next to a body of water. Riparian zones can be composed of gently sloping shores, steep banks, or other types of terrain. Permanent plant species such as trees and shrub communities and specialized grasses and forbs grow in should be growing in these areas. These plant species, in turn, provide food and shelter for the rich diversity of wildlife living along the riverbank.
The existence of riverside vegetation is important to the health of the species that live within the river. Specifically, this vegetation helps maintain a river's health by influencing the amount and kind of sediment in the river. Riverside vegetation does this by anchoring soil, catching silt, filtering out pollutants, and absorbing nitrogen and phosphorus. Such vegetation also helps provide shade that cools the water and provides habitat for insects and their predators.
The effect of too much sedimentation can be seen when vegetation along riverbanks is removed by flooding or other events. Sediment washes back into the water, causing turbidity. Turbidity occurs when sediment is stirred up and suspended in water, and in a river can impair the respiration of fish or other aquatic organisms. Turbid conditions can also cause sediment to cover gravel used for fish-spawning, raise the temperature of the water, and bury submerged plants.
Help stabilize your favorite stream bank today. Donate to SoundForest.org to Plant More Trees!
The existence of riverside vegetation is important to the health of the species that live within the river. Specifically, this vegetation helps maintain a river's health by influencing the amount and kind of sediment in the river. Riverside vegetation does this by anchoring soil, catching silt, filtering out pollutants, and absorbing nitrogen and phosphorus. Such vegetation also helps provide shade that cools the water and provides habitat for insects and their predators.
The effect of too much sedimentation can be seen when vegetation along riverbanks is removed by flooding or other events. Sediment washes back into the water, causing turbidity. Turbidity occurs when sediment is stirred up and suspended in water, and in a river can impair the respiration of fish or other aquatic organisms. Turbid conditions can also cause sediment to cover gravel used for fish-spawning, raise the temperature of the water, and bury submerged plants.
Help stabilize your favorite stream bank today. Donate to SoundForest.org to Plant More Trees!