Literature Review:
Riparian zones are actually comprised of two distinct zones (Bryce Bancroft, 2002): Zone I is the active floodplain and is repeatedly inundated. Zone II extends from this active flood plain to the valley wall. This analysis address only Zone I. Restoration of a riparian zone requires the consideration of three issues: (1) the causative effect must be located with respect to the riparian zone that is being degraded. (2) It must be determined whether or not the cause is ongoing or if it can be eliminated (3) will the recovery occur naturally if the disturbance is eliminated. (Craig N. Goodwin, 1997)
Maintaining a healthy riparian zone is crucial to the health of a river system and to the quality of the water. (Bryce Bancroft, 2002) A healthy riparian zone will have a thick growth of diverse vegetation, comprised of grasses, shrubs, weeds and trees covering the stream banks. The land bordering the stream bank should remain wet throughout the year. The stream banks of a healthy riparian system are generally more vertical and steep as opposed to flat and rounded. The stream flow shouldn’t vary too much throughout the year. The water should be clear and contain debris from healthy stream banks, such as leaves and twigs and logs that create pools and habitat for fish and aquatic insects. There should be a diversity of wild life along the banks. (James J. Hoorman, 2003)
Riparian restoration is a young field of study. (Ph.D., 2009) New ideas and information are constantly appearing. It is understood that the current status of dysfunction within riparian zones results from miss management and that the harmful practices of logging right up to the rivers’ edge, channelization, and run off from farming, to name only of few of the modern day practices that are degrading riparian zones, are having an negative effect on the land and water system as a whole. (Bryce Bancroft, 2002)
Riparian zones are actually comprised of two distinct zones (Bryce Bancroft, 2002): Zone I is the active floodplain and is repeatedly inundated. Zone II extends from this active flood plain to the valley wall. This analysis address only Zone I. Restoration of a riparian zone requires the consideration of three issues: (1) the causative effect must be located with respect to the riparian zone that is being degraded. (2) It must be determined whether or not the cause is ongoing or if it can be eliminated (3) will the recovery occur naturally if the disturbance is eliminated. (Craig N. Goodwin, 1997)
Maintaining a healthy riparian zone is crucial to the health of a river system and to the quality of the water. (Bryce Bancroft, 2002) A healthy riparian zone will have a thick growth of diverse vegetation, comprised of grasses, shrubs, weeds and trees covering the stream banks. The land bordering the stream bank should remain wet throughout the year. The stream banks of a healthy riparian system are generally more vertical and steep as opposed to flat and rounded. The stream flow shouldn’t vary too much throughout the year. The water should be clear and contain debris from healthy stream banks, such as leaves and twigs and logs that create pools and habitat for fish and aquatic insects. There should be a diversity of wild life along the banks. (James J. Hoorman, 2003)
Riparian restoration is a young field of study. (Ph.D., 2009) New ideas and information are constantly appearing. It is understood that the current status of dysfunction within riparian zones results from miss management and that the harmful practices of logging right up to the rivers’ edge, channelization, and run off from farming, to name only of few of the modern day practices that are degrading riparian zones, are having an negative effect on the land and water system as a whole. (Bryce Bancroft, 2002)