Approach
Forests located within riparian areas serve important ecosystem functions, such as reducing soil erosion, buffering high flows, regulating base flows moderating stream temperatures, reducing evaporation from surface waters, and providing migration corridors for wildlife and plant species. Many of these functions and benefits are influenced by the riparian forest structure and species assemblage, and may be degraded if riparian forests undergo decline or exacerbated stress from climatic shifts and extreme events. Changing conditions are expected to threaten regeneration processes for some species, and may result in failure of natural regeneration of desired species. Actions to maintain or restore vegetative cover will typically be consistent with existing best management practices and prescriptions for riparian management zones, but may require more active intervention to compensate for forest decline to promote healthy cover and function.
Tactics
- Restore or promote a diversity of tree and plant species to increase stream shading, provide sources of woody debris, stabilize the soil, restore fluvial processes, and provide habitat and connectivity for wildlife.
- Restore or reforest riparian areas adjacent to agriculture, or developed areas to reduce erosion, and nutrient loading to surface waters.
- Creating buffers along riparian areas with reduced or no harvest based on the landform, hydrology, and vegetation of the riparian zone in addition to any recommended buffer distances.
- Maintain vegetation and plant canopy coverage to protect soils from raindrop impact, and minimize soil disturbances that affect sub-surface roots and residues holding soil in place.
- Anchoring with fabric, wire, or natural materials in order to stabilize eroding stream banks.
- Managing water levels to supply proper soil moisture to vegetation adjacent to the stream during critical time periods, either by manipulation of existing dams and water control structures or restoration of natural dynamic water fluctuations.
Strategy
Strategy Text
This strategy addresses the benefits of healthy forest cover in the production of water resources. It is well established that forested watersheds provide multiple benefits and ecosystem services such as timber, carbon storage, wildlife habitat, food, and cultural services. Changes to forest structure and composition, can alter underlying hydrologic processes within a watershed affecting the capture, storage and filtration of water, and the regulation of streamflow. Managing forests to reduce stressors, increase structural and species diversity, and protect unique habitats, may enhance forest ecosystem resilience to increasing climate variability, extreme events, and other disturbances.
Shannon, P.D.; Swanston, C.W.; Janowiak, M.K.; Handler, S.D.; Schmitt, K.M.; Brandt, L.A.; Butler-Leopold, P.R.; Ontl, T.A. (in review). Adaptation Strategies and Approaches for Forested Watersheds. Ecological Applications.