Roadside Guide to Clean Water: Riparian Buffers
Riparian Buffers
Riparian Buffers at a Glance
The word "riparian" is used to describe the area alongside a river or other body of water. A riparian buffer involves planting or retaining trees, shrubs, or tall grasses along the banks of rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Riparian buffers exist in both urban and rural areas and can be planted along any body of water capable of supporting plants.
How Riparian Buffers Work
When plants like meadow grasses and trees are allowed to grow or new trees and shrubs are planted, the soil becomes more porous and allows water to soak in more easily. Riparian buffers act like sponges along a waterway, soaking in precipitation and water running off the land. They also capture sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants that are carried with the water runoff. In addition to helping absorb water and pollution, the deep roots of these plants are very good at holding streambanks in place. This further reduces water pollution by preventing the land from caving in and washing downstream. Another benefit of trees and shrubs in a riparian buffer is the shade and wildlife habitat created by the leaves and branches. The wider the riparian buffer extends from the water's edge, the more effective it is at improving water quality.
Community Benefits of Riparian Buffers
- Groundwater: Recharges groundwater
- Climate Change: Promotes climate change resiliency
- Flooding: Mitigates flooding
- Landscape: Beautifies the landscape
- Pollution: Reduces pollution
- Habitat: Provides wildlife habitat
You can expect to find riparian buffers in urban, suburban, and rural settings.
How to Recognize Riparian Buffers
Riparian buffers can be as simple as a no-mow zone along a water body. Photo by Kristen Kyler
Very young, native, wet-area-loving trees and shrubs are often planted to grow a forested riparian buffer. Photo by Kristen Kyler
Tubelike shelters are often used to protect trees from deer and other animals. Nets on top of each shelter prevent birds from falling inside and becoming trapped. Photo by Kristen Kyler
Many dairy and livestock farmers install fencing to exclude their herd from the riparian area. Photo by Kristen Kyler. Learn more at "Stream Bank Fencing: Green Banks, Clean Streams."
Mowing, herbicide application, and other forms of weed control are common to help trees outcompete weeds when getting established. Photo by Jennifer Fetter
It only takes a few years before the trees grow out of their tubes and a forest will be growing next to the stream. Photo by Kristen Kyler
Planting trees along streets and other locations in urban areas provides similar benefits to riparian buffers. Visit the Urban and Suburban Trees webpage to find out more.
Photo by Vincent Cotrone
