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Protect Critical Areas such as Buffers along Streams
Minimizing Impacts at the Local or Site Level
Green belts along streams improve the water quality by acting as a buffer, and filtering out sediments and runoff that would otherwise enter the stream directly. They promote infiltration of the water into the ground, which reduces pollutants, as the water that seeps through goes through a natural system of cleansing before entering the stream. These green belts can also potentially be used as recreational spaces.
The riparian zone is a protective margin of vegetation along a river. In summer, the shade from such vegetation moderates the temperature, humidity and light. In winter the thickets of trees and vines buffer the adjoining areas from harsh winds. The vegetated area provides habitat for flora and fauna. The leaves falling off the trees and plants intercept much of the rain that falls, and thus prevents it from becoming runoff. The vegetated belt also intercepts runoff that flows towards the water body and absorbs significant amounts of pollutants present in the runoff. The bacteria in the soil break down many of the pollutants into less harmful compounds before they reach the water body.
Often conflicts arise in the riparian zone. This is because private property along the stream bank adjoins public property, the river. What is done on the private property along the river or in the riparian buffer zone affects what happens far beyond the property line.
When trees and shrubs are cleared along the water’s edge, the unprotected banks erode, turning the water a muddy brown. In addition, without a protective shady canopy, the water becomes too warm for many fish and plants growing in the water. Food supply from falling leaves and insects from the plants in the buffer diminishes, and many aquatic animals starve or move away. When this protective wall of vegetation along the river is breached, a chain of events is set off that threaten habitats, food supply, and water quality far downstream (Kostielney, 1998).
