In the tension between land and water, water always wins. Healthy, well vegetated riparian areas slow the rate of erosion and balance erosion in one spot with bank or shoreline increases through deposition elsewhere. It is extremely difficult to solve erosion problems overnight but once the threat of erosion becomes obvious we tend to want a quick fix. Regaining streambank and shoreline stability may require the temporary use of erosion control structures, especially where insufficient riparian vegetation exists. Solutions may also require a watershed view to see all of the things that contribute to instability.
For streambanks and shorelines that are experiencing accelerated erosion, returning those banks to natural vegetation is generally the best approach. This fact sheet introduces readers to the concept of soil bioengineering, using live woody vegetation that will ‘sprout and grow’. Once the cause of the vegetation loss has been addressed, these techniques may be used to restore eroding banks, knitting banks together and reducing further loss.
A simple riparian health checklist that quickly identifies how healthy your lakeshore or wetland is. Can be used as a first step when looking at riparian health, prior to a more in-depth riparian health assessment.
A simple riparian health checklist that quickly identifies how healthy the riparian area along your river, creek or stream is. Can be used as a first step when looking at riparian health, prior to a more in-depth riparian health assessment.
Find out how wetlands can provide more local precipitation, reduce the damaging affects of floods, improve water quality and recharge groundwater supplies in this information packed 4-page fact sheet. After reading this you'll realize that wetlands aren't just for ducks and frogs.
How do riparian areas improve water quality? What are the benefits of improved water quality? How can you promote healthy riparian areas? A brief, but useful fact sheet to address these questions.