Riparian areas

All habitats within the agricultural landscape are important, but aquatic and riparian areas are especially significant to both biodiversity and agricultural production.

Aquatic areas are considered to be some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. Collectively, rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands provide habitat for at least 25% of B.C.’s vertebrate, invertebrate, and vascular plant species.

Aquatic ecosystems interact closely with riparian areas—the zones of lush, green, moisture-loving vegetation that surround wetlands, lakes, streams, and rivers. Riparian areas form a transition zone between aquatic and dry, upland habitats.

Common to all riparian areas are the following :

A combined presence and abundance of water, either on or close to the surface
Vegetation that responds, requires and survives well with abundant water
Soils that are modified by abundant water, stream or wetland processes and lush, productive and diverse vegetation

Riparian functions

A healthy riparian area will demonstrate some of the following key ecological functions:

Builds and maintains stream banks
Stores floodwater and reduces stream flow energy
Recharges groundwater
Traps sediments
Filters nutrients from water
Maintains and enhances biodiversity
Supports primary production
Sequesters carbon
Shades the stream to reduce solar heat gain

Management of riparian areas

Key components to management of riparian areas are directly linked to maintaining good soil and water conservation practices across the landscape and preserving, as much as possible, the integrity of the natural riparian zone.