Riparian wetlands Protection Riparian Wetlands Protection Riparian wetlands are areas along the banks of natural bodies of water such as rivers or a lakes.
Wetlands are home to a very diverse assortment of plant and animal species.
Because of the continued presence of water, many of the species become specifically adapted to living in these special habitats. In addition to the animals that can be found there all year long, wetlands also provide food, water, and breeding grounds for many species of migratory birds passing through the area each year. Wetlands play a major role in a region's water cycle, and scientists even believe that they help to regulate global atmospheric and climatological conditions by storing carbon within their soils and plants. The abundant vegetation also provides natural protection against flooding and shoreline erosion by absorbing water, holding the soil together, and breaking the flow of currents. Wetlands are also a source of recreation for millions of people.