ABSTRACT
Riparian areas are the physical and ecological link between upland and aquatic ecosystems (Figure 5.1). Riparian buffers are defined by laws, regulations, or voluntary guidelines to maintain or restore vegetation and limit some forms of land use in order to protect water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the structure and function of riparian areas is essential to developing strategies to protect stream channels through the conservation and management of riparian buffers. Two recently published books, by the National Research Council (2002) and Verry et al. (2000), provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the science regarding riparian areas and riparian area management. Key reviews of riparian buffer structure and function include Lowrance et al. (1995a, 1997a) and Klapproth and Johnson (2000a,b). Verry et al. (2004) propose a “linked sequence
of definition, delineation, and riparian sampling” that can be used to “accurately assess riparian resources on the ground.”
