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 rivers, creeks, lakes, 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==

*Dissipate wave, flow and ice energy<ref>''Riparian Areas'' Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Survey op cit</ref>

*Dissipate wave, flow and ice energy<ref>''Riparian Areas'' Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Survey op cit</ref>

*Alleviate flooding

*Alleviate flooding

*Reduce erosion by water

*Reduce [[erosion]] by water

*Add fertility to floodplain soils

*Add fertility to floodplain soils

*Provide forage, shelter, shade, and sources of high quality water for livestock<ref>''Riparian Area'' Healthy Soils op cit</ref>

*Provide forage, shelter, shade, and sources of high quality water for [[livestock]]<ref>''Riparian Area'' Healthy Soils op cit</ref>

==References==

==References==