The Purpose of Riparian Buffer Zones
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A riparian buffer is a strip of vegetation left or planted alongside a river, stream or wetland, deliberately positioned between the water and surrounding land use such as farmland or urban development. Its main job is to intercept material before it reaches the water rather than after.
Roots hold soil in place, reducing erosion and the sediment that would otherwise wash into the waterway during rain. The vegetation also slows surface runoff, giving more time for nutrients and pollutants to be filtered by soil and plants before reaching the water, similar in principle to a wetland.
Shade from riparian vegetation additionally helps regulate water temperature, which matters for aquatic species sensitive to heat, and fallen leaves and branches provide habitat and food for stream life. A well maintained buffer is a relatively simple, low cost tool doing several jobs for a waterway at once. Even a relatively narrow strip of established vegetation can noticeably improve outcomes compared with land that runs bare right up to the water's edge.