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- RIPARIAN
BUFFERS
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The riparian zone is the area
where a body of water
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and the land meet. A riparian
buffer consists of trees, shrubs, grasses,
and wildflowers along streams, lakes,
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and ponds that provide a
transition between
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waterways and human use.
These buffers play an
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important environmental
role in soil conservation
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and water protection.
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The most common riparian
areas that we have in our suburban
neighborhoods are retention ponds.
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These retention ponds
oftentimes become algae
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infested, stagnant,
ill-smelling pools of water.
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The best thing that we can do
to improve the health
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of the pond is to create a
buffer of native plants. In addition to
providing significant environmental
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benefits, these areas create
important habitat for
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wildlife and aquatic life.
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Benefits of Riparian Buffers.
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Protect Waterways:
Riparian buffers are the most
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effective means to protect water resources as they
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filter chemicals, sediment, and pollutants before
they
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enter the watershed.
Native plants
have very deep, extensive root systems. This root
system helps the
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plants filter out pollutants before they reach our
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creeks and drinking water supplies. Non-native lawn
grasses have shallow root systems. As a result, rain
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mixed with fertilizers and other chemicals run off
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these areas.
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Reduce Soil Erosion:
The extensive root system of
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native plants allows them to absorb and store great
amounts of water which plays an important function
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in preventing flooding and erosion. Non-native
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grasses, including most lawn grasses, have shallow
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root systems that do not absorb and retain water.
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Reduce geese problems:
The addition of vegetation
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around ponds deters geese from leaving the water and
becoming a nuisance in yards and sidewalks.
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Algae Control:
Buffer strips around retention ponds
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help absorb excess nutrients before they enter the
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pond. This reduces the presence of algae which can
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reduce the need for water treatments.
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