Areas alongside waterways play an important role in keeping rivers, creeks, estuaries, and wetlands healthy and strong.
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What is riparian land?
Riparian land is that which runs along rivers, creeks, estuaries, lakes and wetlands;. It acts as a transition between the aquatic environment of the waterway and the surrounding landscape. It is critical to healthy waterways. Riparian land can vary in width from a narrow strip to a wide corridor.
Riparian land offers the following benefits:
provides habitat to native plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects
assists in preventing contaminants and sediment (including bushfire ash) reaching waterways
reduces erosion, as the roots of plants anchor soil on the riverbanks
influences water temperature and limits water evaporation
In regional landscapes that are dominated by farmland, the riparian native vegetation provides crucial wildlife corridors. Fencing is often used to stop grazing animals from accessing these landscapes. Without fencing, these larger farm animals could destroy vegetation, cause erosion on riverbanks and contaminate water supplies. This is a significant issue in Victoria. Reducing stock access also helps maintain the biodiversity of these areas.
We need to carefully manage these spaces to ensure their future sustainability. This includes access for recreation and other human activities.
Case study
Overgrowth of invasive species such as willows can harm native species in riparian areas and create an inaccessible landscape. The removal of willow trees has been necessary in many regions, including in headwater streams in Gippsland.
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA)
In this video, see how their work protects and improves the riparian ecosystem and its biodiversity.
Peter Vollebergh manages the Riparian River Channel Program at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). He discusses his role in protecting waterway health across Victoria as well as what he has learnt from over 30 years working in water.
Community volunteers can assist local water agencies in the planting of new vegetation in riparian landscapes alongside rivers, creeks and waterways.Image credit: Parks Victoria
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Schools can partake in planting sessions for local water agencies and farmers. This work helps them to better understand the role of riparian landscapes and to better appreciate how human activity can affect them.Image credit: DEECA and Craig Moodie
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Schools can partake in planting sessions for local water agencies and farmers. This work helps them to better understand the role of riparian landscapes and to better appreciate how human activity can affect them.Image credit: DEECA and Craig Moodie
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Schools can partake in planting sessions for local water agencies and farmers. This work helps them to better understand the role of riparian landscapes and to better appreciate how human activity can affect them.Image credit: DEECA and Craig Moodie
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Areas of riparian land line the banks of Rainbow Creek downstream of the Cowwarr Weir in Gippsland. Trees, shrubs, grasses and other greenery separate the creek from nearby farmland.Image credit: DEECA and James Lauritz
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On this stretch of Middle Creek, there is no riparian land separating the waterway from cows and other farm animals. This has led to deterioration of the land and erosion of the creek banks as well as a reduction in the quality of the water.Image credit: DEECA
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This stretch of the Gellibrand River near the Otways has been restored. Now the riverbanks are lined with trees, grasses, shrubs and other greenery to better represent a natural environment for native wildlife.Image credit: DEECA
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This illustrated graphic demonstrates the difference between managed versus unmanaged riparian land. With unmanaged land, you might see eroson, invasive species and livestock accessing waterways. Managed riparian land with fencing and off-stream watering means healthier waterways, fish and vegetation.Image credit: DEECA
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15 years after replanting and restoration works, this stretch of Wannon River is thriving.Image credit: DEECA
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The Avon River goes through Stratfield and riparian landscapes can help product waterways from human activities while also improving water quality and recreational potential.Image credit: DEECA and James Lauritz
Community volunteers can assist local water agencies in the planting of new vegetation in riparian landscapes alongside rivers, creeks and waterways.
Image credit: Parks Victoria
Schools can partake in planting sessions for local water agencies and farmers. This work helps them to better understand the role of riparian landscapes and to better appreciate how human activity can affect them.
Image credit: DEECA and Craig Moodie
Schools can partake in planting sessions for local water agencies and farmers. This work helps them to better understand the role of riparian landscapes and to better appreciate how human activity can affect them.
Image credit: DEECA and Craig Moodie
Schools can partake in planting sessions for local water agencies and farmers. This work helps them to better understand the role of riparian landscapes and to better appreciate how human activity can affect them.
Image credit: DEECA and Craig Moodie
Areas of riparian land line the banks of Rainbow Creek downstream of the Cowwarr Weir in Gippsland. Trees, shrubs, grasses and other greenery separate the creek from nearby farmland.
Image credit: DEECA and James Lauritz
On this stretch of Middle Creek, there is no riparian land separating the waterway from cows and other farm animals. This has led to deterioration of the land and erosion of the creek banks as well as a reduction in the quality of the water.
Image credit: DEECA
This stretch of the Gellibrand River near the Otways has been restored. Now the riverbanks are lined with trees, grasses, shrubs and other greenery to better represent a natural environment for native wildlife.
Image credit: DEECA
This illustrated graphic demonstrates the difference between managed versus unmanaged riparian land. With unmanaged land, you might see eroson, invasive species and livestock accessing waterways. Managed riparian land with fencing and off-stream watering means healthier waterways, fish and vegetation.
Image credit: DEECA
15 years after replanting and restoration works, this stretch of Wannon River is thriving.
Image credit: DEECA
The Avon River goes through Stratfield and riparian landscapes can help product waterways from human activities while also improving water quality and recreational potential.
Image credit: DEECA and James Lauritz
Further resources
Below you can find a variety of resources to further research and understand riparian landscapes.
Riparian land – a government hub for all riparian information: