Benefits of Riparian Forests
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Riparian Forest Buffers: Benefits of Trees Along Streams and Rivers in Kansas
 

Riparian forest buffers are areas of trees and shrubs established along the banks of streams, rivers, and ponds. In Kansas, riparian forest buffers exist mostly in the eastern part of the state but also are important in the west for the protection of the more than 134,400 miles of streams.  As population and farming practices expanded, forests throughout the state, including those in riparian areas, have been converted for agricultural and other purposes. This reduced forestland in Kansas from an estimated 4.5 million acres in the mid 1800s to 2.2 million acres today.The re-establishment and management of riparian forests is important for restoring and maintaining the water quality in Kansas. Riparian forests help improve and maintain water quality;regulate water quantity; stabilize streambanks; provide wildlife habitat and recreational activities;and are a possible source of income.

Water Quality and Quantity

Wildlife Habitat

Riparian forest buffers are critical for the survival of many wildlife species. They serve as safe travel corridors between land and water, provide a reliable food source, and serve as areas of cover.  Many fish and bird species depend on the insects that live in forested riparian areas for food.  Many threatened and endangered species in Kansas such as the Bald Eagle, Spotted Skunk, the Common Map Turtle and the Spring Peeper require the presence of forested areas along streams to survive.  Riparian forests are also important for species in need of conservation in Kansas such as the Ladder-Backed Woodpecker, and the Cerulean and Yellow Throated Warblers.  Trees also act as a source of nutrients and woody debris that are important as a source of food and shelter for aquatic invertebrates, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.

Streambank Stabilization

Riparian forest buffers are important for the stability of streambanks. In addition to smaller roots found mainly in the upper 8 inches of the soil, trees send larger roots into the ground vertically and laterally and use those roots as anchors to hold them in place. These larger roots help hold the soil and reduce the amount of erosion. Research at Kansas State University has shown that after the 1993 flood, non-forested streambanks had significantly more erosion than forested banks along a stretch of the Kansas River. Forested streambanks even showed an overall deposition of sediment during the flood. With high water flows, as the trees slow the velocity of the water, sediment has more time to settle out, allowing soil to accumulate in the forested areas. Trees also stop large debris carried by the floodwaters from entering fields and other land.

Recreation

A direct result of riparian forest buffers and improved water quality is a better location for recreational activities such as swimming, hiking, boating, fishing, and hunting, many of which provide revenue for landowners.

Source of Income

Maintenance of the riparian forest buffers is necessary to ensure that the trees remain healthy and the buffers continue to function effectively.Timber stand improvement helps to foster the vegetation that will most effectively remove pollutants from runoff and subsurface flow before it reaches the water. Maintaining riparian forest buffers for desirable species may provide a profit when trees become mature and ready for harvest. This will not only be a financial gain, but will also ensure the future effectiveness of the riparian forest buffer.