Wetlands Most streams, wetlands, and riparian areas within farms have been destroyed or degraded by livestock. Protection of these areas involves the exclusion of livestock by fencing. Within each of our agriculturally impacted demonstration areas, we are attempting to protect and restore all streams, wet-lands, and riparian areas. Livestock access to water is provided via stone-lined stream crossings and ramps into ponds and wetlands, and by diverting water via pipes to troughs. These practices allow access to water while minimizing livestock impacts to riparian vegetation.
Riparian habitat is critical to the existence of numerous wildlife species.
By excluding livestock, stream and wetland protection benefits wildlife by reducing erosion, improving water quality and quantity, and providing increased food and cover for wildlife. Several stream and wetland-associated avian species were found in greater abundance and had higher nest densities in protected areas. Water quality, primarily in terms of reduced fecal coliforms, has improved dramatically. Additionally, due to an increase in vegetation that shades and cools the water reducing evaporative loss, we have found an increased water availability during summer and drought. Thick shrub communities should provide important food and cover for many wildlife species, particularly many declining bird species.