What are Riparian Ecosystems?
Riparian ecosystems are made up of the plants and animals living along lakes, rivers, and streams, and the soil, air and water that support them. Here in the arid Southwest, riparian ecosystems are easy to spot, since the differences in water availability between river bottoms and the surrounding uplands frequently produce dramatic changes in plant communities. It is often possible to stand near a river or wash and touch a broadleaf riparian tree (like a cottonwood or sycamore) with one hand, and a saguaro cactus with the other.
