Changes

[[Image:Riparian area.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Simplified schematic of a riparian area]]

[[Image:Riparian area.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Simplified schematic of a riparian area]]

A [[Riparian area]] is the ribbon-like area of lush vegetation located adjacent to [[river]]s, creeks, [[lake]]s, springs, wetlands and coulees. The increased moisture found in these areas produces unique plant communities that differ noticeably from surrounding crop and pasture land.<ref>''Riparian Area'' Healthy Soils [http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/land/riparian_e.htm Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Online]. Accessed 15 January 2008</ref> Although they make up only a small fraction of the land, they are among the most productive and valuable of all landscape types and have often been the focus of conflicts between resource users.<ref>''Riparian Areas'' Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Survey [http://www.cowsandfish.org/riparian.html Cows and Fish]. Accessed 15 January 2008</ref>

A '''Riparian area''' is the ribbon-like area of lush vegetation located adjacent to [[river]]s, creeks, [[lake]]s, springs, wetlands and coulees. The increased moisture found in these areas produces unique plant communities that differ noticeably from surrounding crop and pasture land.<ref>''Riparian Area'' Healthy Soils [http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/land/riparian_e.htm Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Online]. Accessed 15 January 2008</ref> Although they make up only a small fraction of the land, they are among the most productive and valuable of all landscape types and have often been the focus of conflicts between resource users.<ref>''Riparian Areas'' Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Survey [http://www.cowsandfish.org/riparian.html Cows and Fish]. Accessed 15 January 2008</ref>

==Benefits==

==Benefits==