1. 9th Grade EIC Lesson September 16, 2010
The Riparian Zone
9th Grade EIC Lesson
September 16, 2010

2. Riparian Zone

3. 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’

5. 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).

8. 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.

10. Variety of Flora & Fauna

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

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

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

14. Biofilter for Eliminating Odorous Gases

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

17. What is Sedimentation?
Settling out of fine particles suspended in water

18. 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.

19. Riparian Zone with Erosion Problem

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

21. Healthy Riparian Zone

22. An Unhealthy Riparian Zone

23. Unhealthy to Healthy

24. Your Turn
What is a Riparian Zone?

25. A Riparian Zone is….
A riparian zone is the terrestrial ecosystem adjacent to a river or stream.

27. How Do Riparian Zones Improve Water Quality?
By preventing sedimentation and keeping runoff pollutants from entering streams & rivers.

28. Riparian Zones Improve Water Quality…..
Of streams & rivers
Of Groundwater
True or False?

29. Riparian Zones Not Only Improve Water Quality
Of streams & rivers
But also….
Of Groundwater

30. Wetlands are considered Riparian Zones.
True or False?

31. Are classified as wetlands.
Riparian Zones….
Are classified as wetlands.