Some of the key findings from the National Riparian Lands R&D Program, several not anticipated at its commencement, are:

• identifying the different sources of sediments in streams and designing appropriate management responses;
• understanding of the main mechanisms by which streambanks erode, and design of effective management responses to them;
• the effectiveness of riparian vegetation, especially grass filter strips, in trapping sediment and attached nutrients;
• understanding of the mechanisms and quantification of the extent to which the roots of riparian vegetation roots reinforce and stabilise streambanks;
• the minor contribution of riparian trees to surcharge and slumping of streambanks, contrary to supposition;
• understanding the effects of riparian vegetation on flood peaks and duration within a catchment
• showing the importance of riparian inputs from native vegetation to streams under natural conditions, and the deleterious effects of clearing and over-grazing
• identifying nitrogen as the limiting factor of in-stream growth in many situations;
• demonstrating for the first time the role of shade in controlling growth of nuisance aquatic plants in waterways, even under conditions of elevated nutrient levels;
• the necessity to replant streambanks with native species since aquatic organisms cannot utilise the C4 sources of carbon provided by exotics such as para grass and sugar cane;
• showing the importance of in-stream habitats such as large woody pieces and root armouring of banks, and the role of native vegetation in providing these;
• the role of shade from riparian vegetation in controlling stream water temperature:
• demonstrating the deleterious nature of uncontrolled stock access to streams due to large inputs of nutrients in dung and urine, trampling of vegetation and pugging of soil at the water's edge;
• showing how strategic management of grazing can be used to improve productivity and recoup fencing and watering costs while improving environmental management;
• developing and demonstrating practical methods for riparian fencing, alternative water point development, and re-vegetation; and
• demonstrating the importance of integrating social science with biophysical science so that the range of factors that impact on people and their behaviour in managing riparian areas is recognized and acted upon.

Many of these findings have been presented in quantified models, look-up tables or other forms that enable river managers and those assisting landholders to use their local data to develop specifications for a particular site or project (see Principles for Riparian Lands Management  for more on the science).