The Riparian Zone 9 th Grade EIC Lesson September 16, 2010

Riparian Zone

What is a Riparian Zone? A riparian zone is the terrestrial ecosystem adjacent to a river or stream A riparian zone is the terrestrial ecosystem adjacent to a river or stream The Latin word ripa means river bank The Latin word ripa means river bank

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

How Does a Healthy Stream and Riparian Zone Look? The water is clear (no sedimentation) The water is clear (no sedimentation) The stream is shaded The stream is shaded There are a variety of flora (plants) & fauna (animals) because of the rich soils present in the riparian zone. There are a variety of flora (plants) & fauna (animals) because of the rich soils present in the riparian zone.

Variety of Flora & Fauna

Why are Riparian Zones Important? They help to dissipate stream energy They help to dissipate stream energy

Why are Riparian Zones Important? They are natural biofilters They are natural biofilters –Protecting rivers & streams from Sedimentation Sedimentation Runoff pollutants Runoff pollutants erosion erosion

What are Biofilters? Biofilters use living material to capture and biologically degrade process pollutants. Biofilters use living material to capture and biologically degrade process pollutants.

Biofilter for Eliminating Odorous Gases

Threats to Riparian Zones Logging Logging Over grazing Over grazing Agriculture Agriculture Building Dams Building Dams Human Development Human Development

What is Sedimentation? Settling out of fine particles suspended in water Settling out of fine particles suspended in water

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

Riparian Zone with Erosion Problem

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

Healthy Riparian Zone

An Unhealthy Riparian Zone

Unhealthy to Healthy

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

Your Turn What is a Riparian Zone? What is a Riparian Zone?

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

How Do Riparian Zones Improve Water Quality? By preventing sedimentation and keeping runoff pollutants from entering streams & rivers. By preventing sedimentation and keeping runoff pollutants from entering streams & rivers.

Riparian Zones Improve Water Quality….. Of streams & rivers Of streams & rivers Of Groundwater Of Groundwater True or False? True or False?

Riparian Zones Not Only Improve Water Quality Of streams & rivers Of streams & rivers But also…. But also…. Of Groundwater Of Groundwater

Wetlands are considered Riparian Zones. True or False? True or False?

Riparian Zones…. Are classified as wetlands. Are classified as wetlands.