Riparian lands and their vegetation provide important habitat for land-based plants and animals. Riparian land often contains a high diversity of living organisms, and plays a crucial role as a corridor for the movement of plants and animals. Even though riparian lands may occupy only a small percentage of the catchment landscape, they are vital to its long-term health and sustainable land management.

The ecological importance of riparian land

Riparian lands differ from adjacent areas in several ways. They often have better soils, higher moisture and different plant species. For these reasons, riparian land provides the habitat features needed by many wildlife species. For some species this habitat is critical. The components of habitat that are important include food, water, shelter from predators and from harsh physical conditions, and safe sites for nesting and roosting.

Riparian lands are highly productive and provide
a range of habitat components for wildlife.
Photo Peter Walton Photography.

The full fact sheet is available in Adobe Acrobat format:

   Fact Sheet 5 - Riparian habitat for wildlife (facts05.pdf, 538Kb)

Topics covered

• Riparian Habitat
• Management to protect riparian land ecosystems
• Actions to protect riparian lands
• Working with neighbours and the catchment community
• Maintaining healthy riparian vegetation
• Revegetation of degraded riparian lands using native species
• Control of stock access to riparian lands
• Manage fire
• Riparian rehabilitation
• For further information

This Fact Sheet is the fifth in a series dealing with the management of riparian land.