The Riparian ZoneThe Riparian Zone

99thth Grade EIC Lesson Grade EIC Lesson

September 16, 2010September 16, 2010

Riparian ZoneRiparian Zone

What is a Riparian What is a Riparian Zone?Zone? A riparian zone is the terrestrial A riparian zone is the terrestrial

ecosystem adjacent to a river or ecosystem adjacent to a river or streamstream

The Latin word ‘ripa’ means ‘river The Latin word ‘ripa’ means ‘river bank’bank’

What is an Ecosystem?What is an Ecosystem?

An An ecosystemecosystem consists of all the consists of all the organisms living in a particular organisms living in a particular area (biotic factors), as well as all area (biotic factors), as well as all the nonliving, physical the nonliving, physical components of the environment components of the environment with which the organisms with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water, interact, such as air, soil, water, and sunlight (abiotic factors). and sunlight (abiotic factors).

How Does a Healthy How Does a Healthy Stream and Riparian Stream and Riparian Zone Look?Zone Look? The water is clear (no The water is clear (no

sedimentation)sedimentation) The stream is shadedThe stream is shaded There are a variety of flora There are a variety of flora

(plants) & fauna (animals) (plants) & fauna (animals) because of the rich soils present because of the rich soils present in the riparian zone.in the riparian zone.

Variety of Flora & Variety of Flora & FaunaFauna

Why are Riparian Why are Riparian Zones Important?Zones Important?

They help to dissipate stream They help to dissipate stream energyenergy

Why are Riparian Why are Riparian Zones Important?Zones Important?

They are natural biofiltersThey are natural biofilters–Protecting rivers & streams Protecting rivers & streams fromfromSedimentationSedimentationRunoff pollutantsRunoff pollutantserosionerosion

What are Biofilters?What are Biofilters?

BiofiltersBiofilters use living use living material to capture and material to capture and biologically degrade biologically degrade process pollutants. process pollutants.

Biofilter for Biofilter for Eliminating Odorous Eliminating Odorous

GasesGases

Threats to Riparian Threats to Riparian ZonesZones LoggingLogging Over grazingOver grazing AgricultureAgriculture Building DamsBuilding Dams Human DevelopmentHuman Development

What is What is Sedimentation?Sedimentation?

Settling out Settling out of fine of fine particles particles suspended in suspended in waterwater

How Does Runoff How Does Runoff Pollution Occur?Pollution Occur?

It occurs when rainwater, It occurs when rainwater, snowmelt or irrigation water snowmelt or irrigation water doesn't soak into the ground, doesn't soak into the ground, but instead runs off the land or but instead runs off the land or developed surfaces, carrying developed surfaces, carrying pollutants into creeks, pollutants into creeks, streams, rivers and sounds. streams, rivers and sounds.

Riparian Zone with Erosion Problem

Riparian Zones Riparian Zones Improve Water QualityImprove Water Quality Not only of streams & riversNot only of streams & rivers But also of groundwaterBut also of groundwater

Healthy Riparian ZoneHealthy Riparian Zone

An Unhealthy Riparian An Unhealthy Riparian ZoneZone

Unhealthy to HealthyUnhealthy to Healthy

What are Some What are Some Riparian Zones in Our Riparian Zones in Our Area?Area? The banks of the South RiverThe banks of the South River The banks of the Chattahoochee The banks of the Chattahoochee

RiverRiver

Your TurnYour Turn

What is a What is a Riparian Zone?Riparian Zone?

A Riparian Zone is….A Riparian Zone is….

A riparian zone is the A riparian zone is the terrestrial ecosystem terrestrial ecosystem adjacent to a river or adjacent to a river or stream.stream.

How Do Riparian Zones How Do Riparian Zones Improve Water Improve Water Quality?Quality?By preventing By preventing

sedimentation and sedimentation and keeping runoff keeping runoff pollutants from entering pollutants from entering streams & rivers.streams & rivers.

Riparian Zones Riparian Zones Improve Water Improve Water Quality…..Quality…..Of streams & riversOf streams & riversOf GroundwaterOf GroundwaterTrue or False?True or False?

Riparian Zones Not Riparian Zones Not Only Improve Water Only Improve Water QualityQualityOf streams & riversOf streams & riversBut also….But also….Of GroundwaterOf Groundwater

Wetlands are Wetlands are considered Riparian considered Riparian Zones.Zones.

True True or or False?False?

Riparian Zones….Riparian Zones….

Are classified as Are classified as wetlands.wetlands.