Provides large woody debris from fallen trees and limbs that form instream cover, create pools, stabilize the streambed, and provide habitat for stream animal and plant life. Provides organic material for stream animal and plant life. Provides habitat for land insects that drop in the stream and become food for fish, and habitat and travel corridors for land animals. Healthy riparian zones on both sides of the stream are important for the health of the entire system. If one side is lacking the protective vegetative cover, the entire section of the stream will be affected.
Some bank erosion is normal in a healthy stream.
Excessive bank erosion occurs where riparian zones are degraded or where the stream is unstable. High and steep banks are more susceptible to erosion or collapse. A healthy riparian corridor with a vegetated flood plain contributes to bank stability. Trees, shrubs, sedges, and rushes have the type of root masses capable of withstanding high streamflow events, while Kentucky bluegrass does not. The root masses help hold the bank soils together and physically protect the bank.