Rivers and their associated floodplains and wetlands are both natural and cultural landscapes. The ecological health of river corridors is important to human cultures and land-uses and have been for millennia. Used by Indigenous peoples as trading routes, sources of food, and transportation pathways, river valleys have strong cultural meaning. They were significant to the settlers and hold strong connections for many cultures across the planet. They continue to be vital to the livelihoods of millions of people today.
The riparian zone is the interface between the land and the river and is some of the most productive and biodiverse habitat around. It provides important ecosystem services and reduces the impact of a changing climate. Healthy watersheds are better at adapting to extreme weather events. They buffer the impacts of high and low water flows, support groundwater re-charge and maintain soil moisture.
Image: A great blue heron flies over the Cowichan River
Photo Credit: Melanie Lonsdale, CHRS 2011 photo contest
As homes for fish, plants, and wildlife, rivers are essential for the survival of many species—including our own. In Alberta, about 80% of the wildlife relies on riparian areas for some or all their lifecycle requirements. Riparian zones, especially those in prairie environments, support high levels of natural biodiversity. The combination of water, lush vegetation and connections to other landscapes provides opportunities for many species. Prairie riparian zones have been found to contain up to seven times more bird species than surrounding grassland communities. These vibrant ecosystems are ribbons of life on the landscape.
River valleys and riparian zones are the ultimate connector for people and nature. They are natural corridors for the movement of species and create important features that link a variety of ecosystems together. They connect and complement existing protected areas. Species and genetic material travel easily through these small, but unique, pieces of the landscape. Riparian corridors act like a network or web, joining distant habitats together. In ecology, they are called dendritic riparian networks. It refers to the tree-like, branching structure of riparian habitats. This branching pattern is a key feature of river networks and influences ecological processes like the flow of energy, water, and biodiversity through the landscape. Protection and sustainable use of riparian dendritic networks increases both ecological and cultural resilience. It enhances an ecosystem's ability to respond to natural and human-induced disturbance.
Image: People working in a riparian zone removing blockages and debris
Photo Credit: Jackie Bourgeois/SEA, CHRS 2011 photo contest
Healthy rivers and riparian habitats can accommodate various land-uses. Landowners are motivated to steward their lands because of intrinsic attachments, pride in good management, concern for future generations and economic benefits. Streamside vegetation and forests act as filters that intercept and absorb sediments, and store and transform excess nutrients and pollutants, carried in runoff from adjacent lands, prevent soil erosion and protect water quality. These attributes benefit both landowners and ecosystems. The presence of riparian vegetation on farms or ranches can increase property value, aesthetic appeal, recreational value and wellbeing.
Multiple benefits emerge from the protection, restoration and good stewardship of rivers and riparian habitats; for surrounding working lands; for human economic and cultural values; and for nature and biodiversity. Whether they frame a Canadian Heritage River, or the river in your own backyard, riparian zones are ribbons of life across Canada and the world.