River Pathways An Introduction to Riparian Areas.

River PathwaysRiver PathwaysAn Introduction to An Introduction to

Riparian AreasRiparian Areas

What is a Riparian Area?What is a Riparian Area?

“Riparian - Relating to or living or located on the bank of a natural watercourse (such as a river) or sometimes of a lake or tidewater.”

(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)

Why Protect Riparian Why Protect Riparian Areas?Areas?

In Arizona, some estimate that riparian areas are only 0.4% of the total land area


70% of 70% of Arizona’s Arizona’s threatened threatened and and endangered endangered vertebrates vertebrates depend on depend on these areasthese areas


Their important role is disproportionate to the small area they cover

Value vs. FunctionValue vs. Function

Functions:Functions: are the ecological, hydrological, or other processes that maintain the ecosystem

Value: is the worth, desirability, or usefulness of a resource. Value can change with time while

functions are constant

Functions of Riparian Functions of Riparian AreasAreas

Provide fish and wildlife habitat


Filter and retains upland sediment


Stabilize streambanks and allows for the build up of new streambanks


Increase water storage in subsurface aquifers

Values of Riparian AreasValues of Riparian Areas They provide habitat for

seventy percent of the threatened and endangered vertebrates in Arizona.

Values of Riparian AreasValues of Riparian AreasThey

increase drinkable water quality and quantity by reducing nonpoint source pollutants

Values of Riparian AreasValues of Riparian AreasThey provide

valuable resources needed for livestock production

Water Forage Shade

Values of Riparian AreasValues of Riparian Areas They provide areas for recreational

activities such as hiking horse-back riding cycling fishing Hunting Swimming raft floating Boating Canoeing bird & wildlife watching Picnicking Camping off-road vehicle use.

Values of Riparian Areas Values of Riparian Areas cont.cont.

They reduce the impacts of seasonal flooding

Managing for Multiple-Managing for Multiple-UseUse

There are a great number of people who find value in riparian areas and even more who benefit from their functions.


People disagree on which values and functions are most important. These disagreements have the potential to create conflict.


Many uses may conflict with one another.

Land managers must manage these areas so that everyone can benefit from its values and functions and so no one value or function infringes on another.

The future of Riparian The future of Riparian AreasAreas

Many estimate that 70-90% of riparian areas in the United States have been altered by human activities including construction of dams, agriculture, and urbanization.


The significant increase in urban population compared to rural population is a very important trend when thinking about Arizona’s riparian areas.


A higher urban population of the state will lead to a significant increase in environmental and recreation oriented values for riparian areas.


Rural communities often see these areas as a resource for community economic development.

For example, many communities depend on raising livestock as the main source of income.


Restoration of riparian areas should be a national goal.


To have successful and effective conservation in riparian areas in arid and semi-arid regions, monitoring is essential.


Without data that shows the quality and quantity of remaining riparian habitat, conservation is impossible.

River Pathways An Introduction to Riparian Areas.

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