An Introduction to

Riparian Areas
 What is a Riparian Area?

 “Riparian - Relating to
or living or located on
the bank of a natural
watercourse (such as a
river) or sometimes of
a lake or tidewater.”

(Merriam-Webster
Online Dictionary)
 Why Protect Riparian Areas?
 Only small space
nearby rivers in a
basin as riparian
areas.
 In Arizona are only
0.4% of the total
land area (in Basin)
 A place for
biodiversities
Why Protect Riparian Areas?

 70% of fauna’s
threatened and
endangered
vertebrates
depend on these
areas
 Why Protect Riparian Areas?
 Their important
role is
disproportionate
to the small area
they cover
 A very specific
ecosystem
 Value vs. Function

 Functions: are the ecological,

hydrological, or other processes that
maintain the ecosystem

 Value: is the worth, desirability, or

usefulness of a resource.
 Value can change with time while functions
are constant
 Functions of Riparian Areas

 Provide fish and

wildlife habitat
Functions of Riparian Areas

 Filter and
retains upland
sediment
 Functions of Riparian Areas

 Stabilize
streambanks and
allows for the
build up of new
streambanks
 Functions of Riparian Areas

 Increase water
storage in
subsurface
aquifers
 Values of Riparian Areas

 They provide habitat for

more than 50 percent of
the threatened and
endangered vertebrates.
 Values of Riparian Areas

 They
increase
drinkable
water quality
and quantity
by reducing
nonpoint
source
pollutants
 Values of Riparian Areas
 They provide valuable
resources needed for
livestock production
 Water
 Forage
 Shade
 Values of Riparian Areas
 They provide areas for recreational
activities:
 hiking
 horse-back riding
 cycling
 fishing
 Hunting
 Swimming
 raft floating, Boating & Canoeing
 bird & wildlife watching
 Picnicking
 Camping
 off-road vehicle use.
 Values of Riparian Areas cont.
 They reduce the
impacts of
seasonal
flooding
 Managing for Multiple-Use

 There are a great

number of people who
find value in riparian
areas and even more
who benefit from their
functions.
 Managing for Multiple-Use
 People disagree
on which values
and functions
are most
important.
 These
disagreements
have the
potential to
create conflict.
 Managing for Multiple-Use
 Many uses may
conflict with one
another.
 Land managers must
manage these areas
so that everyone can
benefit from its values
and functions and so
no one value or
function infringes on
another.
 The future of Riparian Areas

 Many of riparian
areas have been
altered by human
activities including
construction of
dams, agriculture,
livestocks and
urbanization.
 The future of Riparian Areas

 The significant
increase in urban
population
compared to
rural population
is a very
important
factors in using
riparian areas.
 The future of Riparian Areas
 A higher urban
population will lead
to a significant
increase in
environmental and
recreation oriented
values for riparian
areas.
 The future of Riparian Areas
 Rural communities
often see these areas
as a resource for
community
economic
development.

 For example, many

communities depend
on raising livestock
as the main source of
income.
 The future of Riparian Areas

 Restoration of
riparian areas should
be a national goal.
 The future of Riparian Areas
 To have
successful and
effective
conservation in
riparian areas in
arid and semi-
arid regions,
monitoring is
essential.
 The future of Riparian Areas
 Without data
that shows the
quality and
quantity of
remaining
riparian
habitat,
conservation is
impossible.