Riparian forest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Riparian forest is a forested area of land adjacent to a body of water such as a river, stream, pond, lake, marshland, estuary, canal, playa or reservoir.
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[edit] Etymology
The term riparian technically only refers to areas adjacent to flowing bodies of water such as rivers, streams, sloughs, and estuaries. The terms riparian forest and riparian zone have come to include areas adjacent to those non-flowing water bodies such as ponds, lakes, playas and reservoirs.
[edit] Characteristics
Riparian forests are subject to frequent innundation.
Riparian forests help control sediment, reduce the damaging effects of flooding and aid in stabilizing stream banks.
[edit] See also
- Riparian
- Riparian strips
- Bosque
- Management of Pacific Northwest Riparian Forests