Short, upland grasses are similar to those found on lawns, and other generalized grass types may be distinguished through their relationship to the land use, such as wetlands versus agricultural areas, perhaps left fallow. Bare earth and buildings register low in infared refectance, and may be distinguished from one another based on their shape and proximity to roads and other human features. This distinction may be easily confused, as vehicles commonly wear away the vegetation in proximity to buildings. Bare soil was not distinguished from buildings in this study. Based on this data, the land use type most common in Riparian Zones is forests.
Water features outside riparian zones are inland bays.
In order to protect the viability of Riparian Zones, the development of these forests should be limited whenever possible. Urban and agricultural development both contribute to higher runoff rates, and a shorter lag time to peak flow volume during storms. Agricultural development of Riparian Zones also contributes to increased soil loss, as agricultural row crops are not particularly effective in controlling erosion. If these areas are typically brush or edge vegetation, the present cover should be maintained and the use of these areas preserved through the aquisition of Development Rights. Agricultural lands, although they do not comprise a significant portion of the land in Riparian Zones, pose the greatest hazard to the stabilty of the Nanticoke Watershed ecosystem.