LEARN MORE ABOUT
Riparian Buffers
What is a riparian buffer?
Riparian buffers are maintained natural areas next to streams, rivers, lakes, or wetlands which contain trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. These areas serve as a protective barrier for waterways by filtering pollutants from overland runoff and holding soil in place to prevent streambank erosion.
Riparian buffers occur naturally without human intervention, but development often impacts them negatively. To create pastureland, roads, yards, and buildings, natural riparian buffers are stripped of native vegetation, reduced in size, replanted with non-native plants, and sometimes removed entirely in favor of turf grasses. Streams require riparian buffers to be healthy and clean - read on to learn more!
Credit: National Agroforestry Center
Newly planted riparian buffer
Benefits of riparian buffers:
Pollution and Flood Mitigation: As stormwater runoff flows down into a riparian buffer, native plants and soils filter out fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil, road salts, heavy metals, and sediment before it reaches the water body. This vegetation works to slow and spread the water, decreasing the rate at which it enters a surface waterway and recharging groundwater reserves. This in turn decreases the risk of flash flooding and protects our communities.
Erosion prevention: The roots of herbaceous plants, trees, and shrubs hold soil in place, preventing it from running off and entering streams. Sediment pollution threatens the health of aquatic ecosystems by inundating bottom-dwelling plants and insects, clogging fish gills, smothering eggs, and making it hard for animals to find shelter.
Protects and promotes sensitive aquatic species: Trees along the riverbank shade water from the hot sunlight, protecting temperature-sensitive species like native trout. In the autumn, the leaves from these trees fall into the water and are a food source for aquatic macroinvertebrates, which in turn are a vital food source for fish, amphibians, ducks, and other wildlife.
Wildlife corridor and habitat: In heavily developed areas like cities, suburbs, and farms, wildlife habitat tends to be fractured into islands with little to no connective tissue. Riparian buffers help address this issue by serving as corridors for wildlife migration. In addition, the trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants within a buffer provide food, shelter, and breeding sites for insects, birds, mammals, amphibians, pollinators, and reptiles.
How can I construct a riparian buffer on my land?
If you’re a property owner, farmer, business owner, municipality, or other entity with land that abuts a river or other waterway, creating a riparian buffer is a great opportunity to be a steward of our natural resources. Riparian buffers can range anywhere from ten feet to hundreds of feet in width! While urban areas often have limited space, every square foot of restored riparian habitat matters. The wider the buffer, the more benefits it offers.
Building a riparian buffer could be as simple as creating a no mow zone along a creek or planting some native plants near the edge of the river. It can also be as complex as creating your own design and hosting a volunteer workday to plant trees and install tree tubes. When choosing plants, it's best to go native and move away from turf grasses, which are the worst option for streambank stability and water quality.
Guides:
Brandywine Conservancy: Forested Riparian Buffer Planting Guide for Landowners and Developers
Penn State Extension - Riparian Buffers for Wildlife
Maintenance: Growing Great Buffers Video Series
Maintenance: Managing Invasive Species in Riparian Areas
Technical and Financial Assistance:
US Fish and Wildlife Service - Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
USDA Conservation Reserve Program (For Farmers)
USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (For Farmers)
Information:
Conservation Tools - The Science Behind the Need for Riparian Buffer Connection
DOWNLOAD: Penn State Extension Riparian Buffer Brochure
Riparian Buffer Protection via Local Government Regulation
No matter who we are or where we live, surface waterways like rivers are vitally important to the health of our communities. They provide drinking water to millions of people and recreational opportunities in the form of swimming, fishing, and boating.
Keeping our waters clean is of utmost importance for our own well-being as well as that of aquatic life like fish. Thankfully, even if waterways have been impacted by development, building riparian buffers can help restore health to our waterways.
VIDEO RESOURCE