Riparian Areas
Did you know in the arid West, an estimated 90 percent of desert wildlife relies on riparian areas for at least some part of their life cycles? Riparian areas are ecosystems that exist near a body of water and form vital linkages between streams and the surrounding uplands. Habitats in the Southwest face many of the threats that other U.S. regions do, including fragmentation, invasion of exotic species, overgrazing, recreational impacts and others. However, habitats in the West which face threats from scarce water resources are especially stressed. Many species of endangered and threatened fish are found in these areas.
Viewer Tip: To help protect and restore riparian areas, Trout Unlimited suggests these tips:
- Avoid applying pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers near streams. These products can kill streamside plants and make animals sick.
- Leave natural debris such as leaves and downed branches in place along streams and rivers to provide habitat for fish and other species.
- Help prevent shoreline erosion by boating at no-wake speeds near river and stream banks.
This information is provided by Trout Unlimited. Learn more at www.tu.org.
