Abstract
Riparian zones are critical for functional integrity of riverscapes and conservation of riverscape biodiversity. The synergism of intermediate flood-induced disturbances, moist microclimates, constant nutrient influx, high productivity, and resource heterogeneity make riparian zones disproportionately rich in biodiversity. Riparian vegetation intercepts surface-runoff, filters pollutants, and supplies woody debris as well as coarse particulate organic matter (e.g., leaf litter) to the stream channel. Riparian zones provide critical habitat and climatic refugia for wildlife. Numerous conservation applications have been implemented for riparian-buffer conservation. Although fixed-width buffers have been widely applied as a conservation measure, the effectiveness of these fixed buffer widths is debatable. As an alternative to fixed-width buffers, we suggest adoption of variable buffer widths, which include multiple tiers that vary in habitat structure and ecological function, with each tier subjected to variable management interventions and land-use restrictions. The riparian-buffer design we proposed can be delineated throughout the watershed, harmonizes with the riverscape concept, thus, a prudent approach to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions at variable spatial extents. We posit remodeling existing conservation policies to include riparian buffers into a broader conservation framework as a keystone structure of the riverscape. Watershed-scale riparian conservation is compatible with landscape-scale conservation of fluvial systems, freshwater protected-area networks, and aligns with enhancing environmental resilience to global change. Sustainable multiple-use strategies can be retrofitted into watershed-scale buffer reservations and may harmonize socio-economic goals with those of biodiversity conservation.
Highlights
Riparian zones are influenced by hydrodynamic forces in fluvial ecosystems and represent transitional aquatic-terrestrial interphase bordering these ecosystems, and as such have numerous functions
Given these complex ecosystem services and functions and extensive habitat degradation experienced by lotic systems, the scientific community has widely recognized the need for riparian zone conservation
Resilience to global environmental change, prevention of nonpoint-source pollution, restoration of trophic dynamics and the riverscape continuum, mitigation of “urban stream syndrome,” and augmentation of amphibian and fish biomass in urban and agricultural watersheds can be harmonized with watershed-wide riparian conservation [11,53,64,91]
Summary
Riparian zones are influenced by hydrodynamic forces in fluvial ecosystems (i.e., lotic systems, such as rivers and streams) and represent transitional aquatic-terrestrial interphase bordering these ecosystems, and as such have numerous functions. Studies that have spanned across numerous global ecoregions have emphasized critical and complex functions of riparian zones, including regulation of aquatic thermal properties [3,4]; bank stabilization [1,17]; nutrient assimilation, silt and sediment retention [18,19]; groundwater recharge [3]; and input of woody debris and other allochthonous matter [1,15]. Given these complex ecosystem services and functions and extensive habitat degradation experienced by lotic systems, the scientific community has widely recognized the need for riparian zone conservation. Our review will help conceptualize conservation potential and ecological values of riparian buffers and thereby provide a foundation to formulate novel conservation approaches to protect and manage riparian zones
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