What Types of Vegetation?
Riparian vegetation species are not arranged in a random manner. They are organized in parallel bands, each consisting of species adapted to survive in the specific moisture and climate of that area. Starting at the edge of the water we find the first band of vegetation is made of water-loving plants (rushes and sedges). These plants have deep, strong roots that stabilize streambanks against erosion and are critical for promoting water recharge and water table height (Clark, 1998; Martin and Chambers, 2001). The first band is the most ecologically important and requires the greatest protection from degradation. This zone serves as an indicator of riparian health since it is the most sensitive. Away from the waters edge the second band of vegetation starts in the wet ground, usually near the edge of the bank. This band consists of shrubs, trees, moisture-loving grass, and water-tolerant broad-leaved plants (Huel, 1998). The third band of vegetation is a mixture of riparian and upland pl
