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Featured collection introduction: riparian ecosystems and buffers II
Citation:
MAYER, P., K. A. Dwire, J. A. Okay, AND P. G. Vidon. Featured collection introduction: riparian ecosystems and buffers II. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION. American Water Resources Association, Middleburg, VA, 50(3):529-532, (2014).
Impact/Purpose:
Riparian ecosystems, the interface of terrestrial and aquatic systems, are zones of high biodiversity (Naiman et al., 1993), rapid biogeochemical activity (Vidon et al., 2010), complex hydrologic activity (Mayer et al., 2010a), and offer solace that can bestow significant mental health benefits (Alcock et al., 2014).
Description:
Riparian ecosystems, the interface of terrestrial and aquatic systems, are zones of high biodiversity (Naiman et al., 1993), rapid biogeochemical activity (Vidon et al., 2010), complex hydrologic activity (Mayer et al., 2010a), and offer solace that can bestow significant mental health benefits (Alcock et al., 2014). Yet, many riparian zones also represent intersections of policy disputes, economic tradeoffs, and environmental degradation. A clearer understanding of science is necessary to establish better resource policy, identify economic values, stave off environmental impacts to riparian ecosystems, and sustain valuable ecosystem services in the face of land-use change, ever-increasing resource consumption, pollution, and climate change. The value of assembling riparian scientists at a meeting every few years is to facilitate the exchange of information that will advance our knowledge to deal with the legacy of past impacts and to meet the challenges of the present and future.