1. An Introduction to Riparian Areas
River Pathways
An Introduction to Riparian Areas

2. Why Care about Riparian Vegetation?
Many of the functions and values of riparian areas are dependent upon streamside vegetation

3. Riparian Vegetation
Streamside vegetation filters sediments and pollutants from the stream

4. Riparian Vegetation
Streamside vegetation provides bank stability by holding onto soil

5. Riparian Vegetation
Streamside vegetation provides habitat for countless organisms

6. Riparian Vegetation
Streamside vegetation shades the water and keeps it at the right temperature for aquatic organisms

7. Riparian Vegetation
Streamside vegetation slows floodwaters during high flow events

8. Monitoring Riparian Vegetation
Since streamside vegetation is so important to the health of the stream, biologists must monitor its condition closely

9. Monitoring Riparian Vegetation
In order to monitor riparian vegetation, biologists must be able to both identify and describe the plants they see

10. Identification
Biologists often use drawings, pictures, keys, and written descriptions to identify plants

11. Description
When a plant cannot be identified, biologists must make detailed descriptions of the plant for later identification

12. Plant Identification Game
Follow the directions and develop the skills you need to be a professional land/resource manager!

14. Describing Plants: Life Forms and Vocabulary
River Pathways
Describing Plants: Life Forms and Vocabulary

15. Describing Plants
Categories
Tree
Shrub
Grass
Cactus
Forb
Others?

16. Categories A C B D E E

17. Overall form What size is the plant?
Is it neat, messy, dense, sparse, etc?

18. Location In what type of habitat does the plant grow? Near water?
In a rocky area, sand or gravel?
Is it in the shade or direct sunlight?

19. Distinguishing Characteristics
Stems/trunk
What is the texture?
What is the size or width of the stems or trunk?
How do the stems or branches come together?

20. Distinguishing Characteristics
Leaves
What is there shape, size, color and texture?
What are the edges like? Are they smooth or serrated?
How are the leaves arranged on the stem?

21. Distinguishing Characteristics
Flowers, seeds or fruit
What is the shape, size, color and texture of the flowers, seeds or fruit.

22. Additional Features Scents Wildlife seen utilizing plant
Similarity to common object. For example: an agave may resemble a pineapple

23. Example
Desert Senna (Senna covesii)

24. Plant Identification Game
Follow the directions and develop the skills you need to be a professional land/resource manager!