Reduced riparian vegetation
Impact
The riparian zone encompasses "the strip of land containing distinctive vegetation along the margin of the stream" (Anderson, 1993). The vegetation may include trees, woody shrubs, herbs/forbs, grasses and sedges. The vegetation in the riparian zone differs to other vegetation because of "the influence of the stream in increasing the available moisture, flooding and soil characteristics. The vegetation is important to the stream because it contributes organic debris, stabilises the banks and provides shade and cover for the instream communities" (Anderson, 1993).
Suggested indicators: Native vegetation area, Vegetation density+
Reduced riparian vegetation may be associated with:
Potential associated impacts |
Suggested indicators+ |
Destabilised streambanks |
|
Reduced trapping of eroded sediment and attached pollutants such as pesticides and nutrients, carried by runoff before it reaches the waterway |
|
Invasion of exotic pest fauna and aquatic and terrestrial weeds |
|
Reduced shade over the waterway and subsequently reduced water temperature regulation. Where reduced shade occurs the water temperature is warmer, dissolved oxygen levels are reduced and algal blooms are more likely |
|
Reduced riparian vegetation condition |
|
Reduced habitat for native fauna |
|
Reduced wildlife corridors to enable movement of native wildlife and plants between remnant habitats |
|
+ Descriptions of indicators (PDF, 76K)* provides a brief description of each indicator including techniques and purpose.
Anderson, J.R. 1993. 'State of Rivers' Project: Report 1. Development and Validation of the Methodology. A Report to Department of Primary Industries, Queensland.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 7 September 2010
