The ribbon is made up of different plant species than the rest of the landscape. It s teeming with wildlife and it surrounds a precious resource. This habitat type is the riparian plant community. Healthy riparian plant communities provide structure that stabilizes streams, habitat and forage for wildlife and fish, and protection from nature s extreme conditions. Lake shores and stream banks are riparian areas, and the plants that grow there are called riparian vegetation.
Riparian vegetation requires water in amounts greater than that which falls as precipitation.
The cottonwood that vexed my grandmother is an example of a native riparian plant. The roots of riparian trees, shrubs, sedges and rushes help hold stream banks in place and prevent erosion. The parts of the plants above the ground slow and dissipate spring runoff, allowing the excess water to enter into the groundwater. This recharging of groundwater allows water to be released during critical summer and fall stream flows. Not only does healthy riparian vegetation assist in recharging streams with water during the hot summer months, it also provides thermal cover throughout the year.