Riparian Areas
Arizona's riparian areas are narrow strips of lush vegetation along rivers, streams and washes. These "ribbons of green" provide critical habitat for many wildlife species, including waterfowl and other birds, frogs, fish, insects an d mammals including deer, beaver and otter. Riparian habitat along the San Pedro River in southern Arizona hosts hundreds of bird species, more than any other U.S. river.Among the first places people settled in the Southwest, riparian areas still serve many human needs. Their uses include growing crops, mining sand and gravel, gathering wood, and even dumping trash. Recreational uses include fishing, hiking, bird wa tching and rafting.
In the past one hundred years, most of Arizona's riparian areas have been lost or substantially altered. Some have lost their water supply, from damming, diversions, or nearby groundwater pumping. Others have been cleared of vegetation or have been invaded by exotic (non-native) plants, such as saltcedar. Some have been overgrazed while others have had houses built on them. This loss of habitat has affected many species. All of Arizona's native fish are threatened or endangered.
Many people are working to study and preserve remaining riparian areas and to renovate damaged areas. Stretches of the San Pedro and Gila Rivers have been designated as National Conservation Areas. One reach of the Verde River is protected as a "Wil d and Scenic River." Stretches of the Colorado River lie within National Parks or National Wildlife Refuges. Many of the higher elevation riparian areas lie within National Forest, Indian, or Bureau of Land Management lands. State Parks, Arizona Game a nd Fish, and the Nature Conservancy also manage riparian areas. Many riparian areas and the wildlife they support lack formal protection.
Some of Arizona's riparian areas result from urban effluent releases. Other towns have chosen to construct wetlands using effluent, thereby creating excellent wildlife habitat.
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