Riparian Areas

Riparian zones play a vital role in soil conservation, biodiversity conservation and influence aquatic health.

Riparian Area Management

This publication provides information about the role of riparian areas in maintaining good water quality and how the careful management of riparian areas can provide sustainable forage for producers and improved water quality for all.

Alternatives to Direct Access Livestock Watering

This publication provides information on the impacts of direct watering of livestock on water quality and some of the management alternatives that exist for improving water quality by restricting animal access to water bodies.

Using Off-Stream Water Sources as BMPs in Riparian Areas

One way of maintaining and possibly enhancing soil and water resources is through the use of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs). Healthy riparian areas are critical in protecting water resources but can suffer much degradation from livestock grazing and cropping practices. BMPs promoted to enhance riparian areas include: exclusion fencing, concentrated stream access areas, grazing management plans and remote (off-stream) watering.

Grazing: a Natural Component of Grassland Ecozone Riparian Systems

Grazing ungulates have shaped and developed riparian ecosystems over thousands of years. Under a properly managed system, livestock can be used to mimic the patterns of grazing ungulates and improve and maintain riparian health and function. Management must be specifically orientated to each riparian area, developing a planned grazing system which follows the four principles of range management, keeping in mind that some riparian areas may not be suitable for grazing. To ensure success, a monitoring program must be implemented based on riparian structure, function and wildlife from the initial stages through subsequent years. This will provide the benchmark needed to determine if management goals have been achieved.

Sustainable Agricultural Land Management around Wetlands on the Canadian Prairies

This publication discusses upland soil, land, climate, and management impacts on wetlands. It also provides specific land management recommendations near wetlands to maximize both agricultural production goals and wetland ecological functions.