WHAT IS A RIPARIAN BUFFER?

A riparian buffer is a vegetated “buffer-strip” near a stream, which helps to shade and partially protect the stream from the impact of adjacent urban or agricultural land use.  It plays a key role in increasing water quality in associated streams, rivers and lakes and provides a
greatly enhanced and varied habitat for wildlife.

STREAM BENEFITS

• The Riparian buffer reduces flooding and erosion while stabilizing the stream bank.

• Trees, shrubs and plants provide root systems that improve water quality by intercepting sediment, filtering pollution and nutrient run-off from roadways, fields and yards.

WILDLIFE BENEFITS

• Shade on the water keeps the temperatures cooler for fish, crayfish, and aquatic insects.

• Organic material from the trees and shrubs provide food for aquatic insects, which in turn provide food for fish, amphibians, and birds.

• Branches falling into the stream provide structure as well as hiding places for small fish and insects.

• Bats forage for insects near the water.

•  Birds use over-hanging branches to forage for fish.

https://extension.psu.edu/riparian-buffers-for-wildlife