1. Riparian Zone

2. What is a Riparian Zone?
A riparian zone is the terrestrial ecosystem adjacent to a river or stream
The Latin word ‘ripa’ means ‘river bank’

4. What is an Ecosystem?
An ecosystem consists of all the organisms living in a particular area (biotic factors), as well as all the nonliving, physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water, and sunlight (abiotic factors).

5. How Does a Healthy Stream and Riparian Zone Look?
The water is clear (no sedimentation)
The stream is shaded
There are a variety of flora (plants) & fauna (animals) because of the rich soils present in the riparian zone.

7. Why are Riparian Zones Important?
They help to dissipate stream energy

8. Why are Riparian Zones Important?
They are natural biofilters
Protecting rivers & streams from
Sedimentation
Runoff pollutants
erosion

9. What are Biofilters?
Biofilters- use living material to capture and biologically degrade process pollutants.

10. Threats to Riparian Zones
Logging
Over grazing
Agriculture
Building Dams
Human Development

12. How Does Runoff Pollution Occur?
It occurs when rainwater, snowmelt or irrigation water doesn't soak into the ground, but instead runs off the land or developed surfaces, carrying pollutants into creeks, streams, rivers and sounds.

13. Riparian Zones Improve Water Quality
Not only of streams & rivers
But also of groundwater

14. An Unhealthy Riparian Zone

15. Unhealthy to Healthy