BENEFITS OF A VEGETATED RIPARIAN STRIP
Home to a wealth of biodiversity, the riparian strip is an important ecological zone that bridges terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and plays several roles in maintaining and improving water quality. More than 90 % of animal species living close to a body of water use this area to feed, reproduce and find shelter.
- Sediment, nutriment and contaminant retention
The riparian strip’s vegetation cover slows the drainage of surface water coming from adjacent lands, which contributes to the sedimentation of soil particles and nutriments or contaminants bound to these particles.
- Water temperature regulation
Treetops standing over bodies of water reduce the amount of solar radiation entering the water, which helps minimize temperature fluctuations. Thanks to this temperature regulation, aquatic wildlife can enjoy higher percentages of dissolved oxygen, lower maximum temperatures in the summer and higher minimum temperatures in the winter.
- Riverbank stabilization and protection against soil erosion
Roots from trees, shrubbery and herbaceous crops stabilize riverbanks and hold the soil together by increasing its cohesion. These roots directly protect the land from erosion due to surface water runoff, ice movement patterns during winter and springtime flooding, and wind impact. However, in comparison to trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants have less developed root systems.
- Slower drainage of surface water
The riparian strip slows water drainage thanks to root systems, which encourage water infiltration in the soil. Furthermore, the leaf canopy reduces the amount of rain falling to the ground.
- Natural barrier against pollutants
Vegetation forms a natural barrier to filter both pesticides and nutriments, such as phosphate and nitrate. These nutrients increase the amount of algae in bodies of water.
- Hydrosystem regulation and groundwater replenishment
When large debris such as tree trunks or branches fall into the water, they help stabilize the hydrosystem by creating blockages, which dissipate the energy of running waters and reduce flow rates: this in turn helps prevent erosion. The soil in riparian areas is often rich and thick, which contributes to surface water infiltration and groundwater replenishment.
- Habitat creation for benthic and fish communities
Benthic organisms find refuge in piles of organic debris, where they can lay eggs, grow and rest. When trees, branches and stumps fall into water, they create underwater pits—a habitat favoured by fish species.
- Limited native productivity of water bodies
Direct absorption of nitrates and phosphorus by riparian vegetation and conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gases through natural denitrification both play a vital role in eliminating excess nitrogen generated by agricultural and residential activities. Without these processes, nitrogen and phosphorus can directly enter and damage lakes and watercourses.
The shade created by a mature forest canopy reduces the amount of light that reaches water bodies, which in turn limits the native (or primary) productivity of aquatic environments.
In this sense, implementing a riparian strip is highly recommended to reduce eutrophication of water bodies and excessive growth of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
- Aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity conservation
The accumulation of large natural debris in the water makes for a complex environment and higher-quality fish and benthic habitats, which contributes to greater biodiversity.
One can find a higher diversity of vertebrates in the riparian strip than anywhere else on the territory. Several species use this strip to move about and go through their life cycle, in part or in full.
PLANTING ACTIVITIES MENU
The riparian strip is a permanent vegetation strip that requires no ploughing or inputs and bridges terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
