Streams can divide very different ecosystems.
Riparian areas are zones between two different ecosystems that overlap. Animals from the surrounding ecosystem venture into riparian areas, as do animals native to these areas, according to the North American Native Fishes Association. Riparian habitats vary in nature since they are a byproduct of two different ecosystems, so the characteristics of the riparian area depend on the characteristics of the ecosystems. The destruction of riparian areas can drive many species to extinction.
Diversity
Every category of land animal can be in riparian zones, including amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. Most animals in forested areas spend part or all their time in riparian areas. Riparian areas have large species diversity. For example, the Rio Grande Valley wetland riparian area has 246 species of birds, 10 species of amphibians, 38 species of reptiles and 60 mammals.
Travel
Animals use riparian zones to travel to and from different ecosystems. Riparian zones allow animals to remain in contact with other members of their species, increasing the number of opportunities they have to reproduce. Since animals rely heavily on riparian areas for travel, building walls and fences that prevent animals from easily traveling through can cause harm.
Aquatic
Fish benefit from riparian areas because the vegetation provides shade for the water, managing the temperature. In addition, the vegetation serves as a source of fish food as particles fall into the water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. These fish then serve as food for other animals.
Birds
Riparian areas are feeding and breeding areas for birds. They are often places for recreational bird watching, since people can observe birds with fewer nearby pests and restrictive vegetation, allowing people to move around more freely. Riparian ecosystems provide habitats for many birds, as dead and hollowed-out trees can give homes for birds.
Vegetation
Riparian areas are very desirable for animals, since they contain food, water, shade and shelter. Food is diverse in riparian areas, since leaf litter fertilizes the soil, which increases the nutrients available to many vegetative sources of food, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Many foraging animals are common in riparian areas, due to the greater variety of vegetation, including deer, moose and elk.
Pollution
Riparian areas can be destroyed by invasive species that wreck many of the crucial organisms residing in there, which can cause a chain reaction that leads to the death of several species. In addition, rivers can carry pollution downstream and wreck ecological havoc. For example, agricultural activities can bring sediments that contain excessive quantities of nitrogen to the riparian area, which can lead to nitrogen toxicity. Excessive fertilizer in water causes algae blooms, which kill off fish in the water by consuming too much oxygen.
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