And it wouldn't pollute the creek with eroding soil or debris and fertilizers from the lawn or contribute as much to flooding downstream. Andrews says shade from trees and shrubs keeps water cooler, increasing dissolved-oxygen levels for fish. Leaves fall into the water and decay, providing food and habitat for dragonflies, mayflies and other aquatic invertebrates. On the other hand, sediment from eroding banks warms the water, clogs up fish gills and blocks out light, keeping aquatic creatures' eggs and aquatic plants from growing properly. Swallowtail butterflies sample the nectar of the buttonbush, one of the native species TVA Watershed Teams give to people to plant alongside creeks and streams.
Any vegetation is better than none.
But native plants are preferred for a riparian buffer because they're accustomed to environmental conditions of this area and provide a more natural look than exotic plants, which have been introduced to this region from elsewhere. Native plants also support area wildlife's needs for food and habitat and require little or no fertilizer or pesticides. Andrews says some exotics can be mixed in with the native plants. You might use magnolias or something else that you know isn't going to sprout up everywhere when birds and other animals spread the seeds. We call plants such as privet, kudzu and shrub honeysuckle 'invasive exotics,' because they can get out of hand quickly.