Riparian Community

A riparian zone or riparian area is the interface between land and a river or stream.

Riparian community. The term riparian specifi cally refers to the zones along the banks of rivers. They occur within any biome wherever there is perennial water near the surface. However it is also applied to the.

Riparian communities are not biomes. While the trees limit the amount of light that reaches the stream they also insulate the stream from experiencing the heating effects of. These trees provide shelter and rich soil under which smaller shrubs and vegetation can grow.

However because riparian areas are relatively small and occur in conjunction with watercourses they are vulnerable to severe alteration and damages caused by people. Riparian is also the proper nomenclature for one of the terrestrial biomes of the earth. Though they could be considered isolated ribbons of deciduous forest they are better viewed as a unique habitat type.

Riparian areas are often important for the recreation and scenic values. Plant habitats and communities along the river margins and banks are called riparian vegetation characterized by hydrophilic plants. Large trees like oaks cottonwoods ash trees and willows are prime members of the riparian zone community.