Environmental Value of Riparian Vegetation

Washington, DC: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station [Environmental Laboratory], 1996. First Edition. Paperback. Near Fine/No Dust Jacket. 11.00 x 8.50 x 0.40 inches. Rare title in Very Good to Near Fine condition. The covers are in great shape. The binding is square and tight. An organization stamp is neatly marked out on the title page. The interior pages are clean and unmarked. The book will be carefully packaged for shipment for protection from the elements. Contains 147 pages and Appendices (187 pp. in all). USPS electronic tracking number issued free of charge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers develops- river projects across the country that have potential impacts on the vegetation in areas adjacent to the river, called riparian corridors. As part of the project review process, the impact of the proposed project on the environment must be evaluated. Information about the environmental value of riparian vegetation is difficult to access, because it is diffuse in the literature. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to review the literature for information pertinent to assessing the environmental value of riparian vegetation. SUMMARY: Vegetation contributes greatly to the hydraulic, hydrologic, water quality, and life support functions commonly performed in riparian corridors. The resistance to flow by vegetation reduces flow velocity and the energy of flowing water that erodes shorelines and carries suspended sediments. Bank materials are bound and supported by roots. Vegetated watersheds help to stabilize baseflow rates by increasing infiltration and permeability of soils. The result is that vegetation helps to stabilize stream morphology and hydrology and attenuate floods. In addition, suspended solids and dissolved chemicals and nutrients in river water are reduced proportionately with residence time in vegetated floodplain. Riparian vegetation provides food, refuge, and nesting areas for a diverse array of terrestrial and aquatic fauna. Losses of riparian vegetation can lead, therefore, to a destabilization of stream morphology, alteration of hydrology, degraded water quality, and reductions in many types of fish and wildlife.