What is a Riparian Buffer?

The term riparian buffer is used to describe lands adjacent to streams where vegetation is strongly influenced by the presence of water. They are often thin lines-of-green containing native grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees that line the stream banks. They are also called vegetated buffer zones. A healthy riparian area is evidence of wise land use management.

Riparian buffers are important for good water quality. Riparian zones help to prevent sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides and other pollutants from reaching a stream. Riparian buffers are most effective at improving water quality when they include a native grass or herbaceous filter strip along with deep rooted trees and shrubs along the stream. Riparian vegetation is a major source of energy and nutrients for stream communities. They are especially important in small, headwater streams where up to 99% of the energy input may be from woody debris and leaf litter. Overhanging riparian vegetation keeps streams cool, this is especially important for North Carolina’s mountain trout populations. Riparian buffers provide valuable habitat for wildlife. In addition to providing food and cover they are an important corridor or travel way for a variety of wildlife. Forested stream sides benefit game species such as deer, rabbit, quail and nongame species like migratory songbirds. Riparian vegetation slows floodwaters, thereby helping to maintain stable stream banks and protect downstream property. By slowing down floodwaters and rainwater runoff, the riparian vegetation allows water to soak into the ground and recharge groundwater. Slowing floodwaters allows the riparian zone to function as a site of sediment deposition, trapping sediments that build stream banks and would otherwise degrade our streams and rivers.

Degraded riparian buffers reduce water quality values, reduce wildlife and fish populations, cause serious property damage (bank erosion) and loss of valuable agricultural lands. Removal of riparian vegetation results in increased water temperatures and decreased dissolved oxygen. The loss of shade exposes soils to drying out by wind and sunlight and reduces the water storage capacity of the riparian area. Loss of riparian vegetation causes stream bank erosion. Eroding banks contribute to sedimentation and lead to a wide shallow stream with little habitat value. These factors result in significant reductions in aquatic stream life.

Rehabilitating riparian buffers is key to restoring natural stream functions and aquatic habitats. There are many economic benefits derived from increased riparian habitat, channel stabilization, improved water quality, improved wildlife and fish populations, improved aesthetics, and other associated values. Depending on the surrounding land use and area topography, riparian buffers should range from 25 to 100 feet wide on each side of the stream.

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  Protect or establish native shrubs, trees, or other vegetation along streams to help prevent bank erosion, trap sediment and filter other pollutants.
  
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  Manage livestock grazing in riparian zones to avoid damage to existing plants.
  
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  Plan developments, forestry activities and other land disturbing activities to protect riparian zones.
  

• Straightening sections of streams.

• Removing streamside shrubs, trees and other vegetation.

• Farming up to the edge of a stream.

• Allowing livestock access to the riparian zone.

• Operating heavy equipment in the riparian zone.

For assistance in evaluating riparian buffer problems, designing a riparian system, information on permits and cost share, contact the following organizations:

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  North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission
  
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  Natural Resources Conservation Service
  
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  Resource Conservation & Development Councils
  
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  Soil & Water Conservation Districts
  

All programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to

race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or disability. This fact sheet was made possible by the following organizations:

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  Surry Soil and Water Conservation District
  
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  Stone Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited
  
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  Pilot View Resource Conservation and Development, Inc.
  
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  Southwestern Resource Conservation and Development, Inc.
  
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  United States Fish and Wildlife Service
  
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  North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission
  

Understory Plants for Riparian Forest Buffers
by Bob Tjaden & Glenda M. Weber
The following tables list understory trees and shrubs appropriate for riparian forest buffers. Understory trees and shrubs are tolerant to shade and are an important structural component of any forest. Some shrubs, such as rhododendron and some blueberries are also adapted to the low-light conditions of the forest understory, but more are adapted to the buffer's edge. The edge might be next to the water or next to an upland area. Most of the shrubs listed prefer moist growing conditions and are good choices for areas that filter water flow. Shrubs that prefer drier sites include witch hazel, grey dogwood, and rose-bay rhododendron. Including understory trees and shrubs in a riparian forest buffer planting increases the structural diversity of the buffer by providing layers of vegetation. This increases biodiversity and enhances both the water quality and wildlife habitat attractiveness of the buffer. Riparian Understory Shrubs Region1 Wildlife Value2 Light Preference Flood Tolerance3 Growth Rate Deciduous/ Evergreen Rooting Arrowwood viburnum CP,P,M Medium full sunlight partial shade Medium Medium Deciduous Shallow Bayberry CP High full sunlight High Medium Deciduous/ Evergreen Shallow Blackhaw P,M High full sunlight partial shade High Medium Deciduous Shallow Buttonbush CP,P,M Medium- High full sunlight partial shade High Medium Deciduous Shallow Common ninebark CP,P Medium full sunlight High Fast Deciduous Shallow Elderberry CP,P,M Very high full sunlight partial shade High Fast Deciduous Shallow Grey dogwood P,M Very high full sunlight partial shade Low Medium Deciduous Shallow Highbush blueberry CP,P Very high full sunlight partial shade High Slow Deciduous Shallow Inkberry CP High full sunlight partial shade High Slow Evergreen Shallow Maple-leaf virburnum P,M High partial shade shade Low Medium- Slow Deciduous Shallow Pinxterbloom azelea CP,P Low partial shade shade High Slow Deciduous Shallow Possumhaw P,M High full sunlight partial shade High Medium Deciduous Shallow Pussy willow P,M Medium full sunlight Medium Fast Deciduous Shallow Red chokeberry CP Medium full sunlight partial shade High Slow Deciduous Shallow Red osier dogwood CP,P,M High full sunlight partial shade High Fast Deciduous Shallow Rosebay rhododendron CP,P,M Low partial shade shade Low Slow Evergreen Shallow Silky dogwood P,M High full sunlight partial shade Medium Fast Deciduous Shallow (good bank stablizer) Smooth alder P,M Medium full sunlight partial shade High Medium- Fast Deciduous Shallow Speckled alder M Medium full sunlight High Fast Deciduous Shallow Spicebush CP,P,M Very high partial shade shade Medium Fast Deciduous Deep lateral Swamp azalea CP,P Low full sunlight partial shade High Medium Deciduous Shallow Swamp leucothoe CP,P Low partial shade shade Medium Slow Evergreen Shallow Sweet pepperbush CP,P,M High full sunlight partial shade High Medium Deciduous Shallow Virginia sweetspire P,M Low full sunlight partial shade High Medium- Slow Deciduous Shallow Winterberry CP,P High full sunlight partial shade High Slow Deciduous Shallow (seasonally flooded areas) Witch-hazel P,M Low full sunlight partial shade Low Medium Deciduous Deep lateral Riparian Understory Trees   Region1 Wildlife Value2 Light Preference Flood Tolerance3 Growth Rate Height (feet) Rooting American holly CP,P High partial shade Medium- Low Slow 30-40' Taproot American hornbeam P,M Medium- High partial shade shade Medium- Low Slow 30-40' Deep lateral Boxelder P,M Medium full sunlight High Very fast >50' Deep lateral Flowering dogwood CP,P,M Medium full sunlight partial shade shade Low Slow 30-40' Shallow Hawthorn CP,P,M High full sunlight Low- Medium Medium <30' Shallow Hophornbeam CP,P,M Medium full sunlight partial shade shade Low Slow <30' Shallow Pawpaw P Very high partial shade shade Low- Medium Slow 30-40' Deep lateral Persimmon CP,P Very high- High full sunlight Medium Slow <50' Deep taproot Redbud P,M Medium partial shade High Slow <50' Shallow Sassafras CP,P,M High full sunlight Low Fast <50' Shallow Shad-bush P,M High partial shade shade High Slow 30-40' Shallow Sweet-bay magnolia CP,P Very low- Low partial shade Medium Medium <30' Deep lateral P = "Piedmont", CP = "Coastal Plain", and M = "Mountains" food source for wildlife High = "tolerates flooding/high water", and Low = "does not tolerate flooding/high water" " For a list of shrub sources, refer to "PLANT AND SEED SUPPLIERS". References U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 1997. Chesapeake Bay Riparian Handbook.
FS727	P97/R98
Understory Plants for Riparian Forest Buffers by Robert L. Tjaden Regional Extension Specialist Natural Resources Wye Research and Education Center Glenda M. Weber Faculty Extension Assistant Natural Resource Management Wye Research and Education Center The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University's policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Director of Human Resources Management, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.

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