The transpiration process also is responsible for taking large amounts of nutrients and chemicals into plants where much of it is locked up in storage. Groundwater supplies are replenished. The rich organic matter in the soil of natural riparian zones allows large amounts of water to percolate to deeper water aquifers. These groundwater reserves, or aquifers, are important sources of drinking water throughout the Midwest. The restored riparian buffer system being evaluated in central Iowa on Bear Creek has shown to remove 80 to 90 percent of nitrate-nitrogen and atrazine in the shallow groundwater prior to entering the stream.
Wildlife habitat is improved.
Natural vegetation in a riparian zones improves habitat for both wildlife and fish, and may be the only habitat in an agroecosystem. The restored buffer system also provided excellent habitat for pheasants and Hungarian partridges, valuable game species in the Midwest. The width and length of a buffer strip area is important because it provides corridors of travel for different wildlife species. A landowner can encourage wildlife by planting a variety of plant species. Species should be selected on their potential for cover and food, as well as the flowering and fruiting seasons.