PreviousReestablishment of native plants in riparian areas
Riparian areas provide for shading and bank stabilization and are floodplains that act as filters to remove sediment during runoff events. Increasing the growth of desirable native plant species prevents the encroachment of non-native species. Two methods may be employed to promote reestablishment of riparian areas in decline: the construction of small fence exclosures, and the additional planting of native riparian plants. Exclosures promote the recovery of herbaceous and woody riparian vegetation and protect existing plants from cattle. Cottonwood and willow poles and rooted cuttings, and plugs of wetland plant species can be planted in suitable areas to reestablish riparian buffers.