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Changes In Tree Species In Riparian Zones Of Urban Streams May Have Effects On Restoration And Storm Water Control Efforts
Citation:
YEARDLEY JR, R. B. AND T. D. LOECKE. Changes In Tree Species In Riparian Zones Of Urban Streams May Have Effects On Restoration And Storm Water Control Efforts. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/F-11/003, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
To provide useful information to those trying to preserve and restore riparian zones in their communities.
Description:
A riparian zone is the land and vegetation within and directly adjacent to surface water ecosystems, such as lakes and streams. The vegetation in riparian zones provides ecosystem services (such as reducing flooding and bank erosion and reducing levels of pollutants in streams) to communities to help them remain sustainable. So, a healthy riparian zone benefits a community economically by reducing property damage, increases the quality of live by providing more recreational opportunities for people and habitat for a diverse community of terrestrial and aquatic animals, and helps protect public health by aiding in pollution control. In Cincinnati, OH and Baltimore, MD, tree species characteristic of lowland areas have disappeared from urban riparian zones and have been replaced by typical uplant tree species. This change in tree species could affect the riparian zones by making them less effective at flood control and at providing quality habitat for organisms, such as stream fish. This study can provide useful information to those trying to preserve and restore riparian zones in their communities. Ozone in smog at ground level in the troposhpere is a pollutant that may be responsible for the disappearance of some ozone-sensitive lowland tree species in urban areas. The roles of ground level tropospheric ozone and urban hydrology in determining riparian tree species composition will be analyzed. Results of this study are expected to be available by late 2011. The results of this investigation have implications beyond Cincinnati, OH and Baltmore, MD. This research has potential impact on the conservation of riparian zones and storm water management, which are important to communities in terms of their economies and public health. This information can be useful to many community groups, which are currently working to preserve and restore their riparian zones. Follow-up studies are likely as well.