Riparian Buffer Planting
Definition The riparian area is the strip of land running parallel to a stream, river, bay, or other waterway. Maintaining this area in a vegetated state that includes a variety of trees, shrubs and grasses creates a buffer that protects the waterway from land use activities. Riparian buffers help mitigate water quantity issues, protect waterways by intercepting pollutants and sediment, and stabilize stream banks to prevent erosion. Buffers with forest canopies provide shade that helps control water temperature.