Articles

Let’s green our rivers: the multiple benefits of riparian forests

Anthony MAIRE, Adeline AIRD, Antonin CONAN, Marylise COTTET, Camille DEBEIN, Léa DIECKHOFF, Simon DUFOUR, Martial DURBEC, André EVETTE, Sabine GREULICH, Ines IMBERT, Philippe JANSSEN, Marion LEGRAND, Charlotte LE MOIGNE, Baptiste MARTEAU, Florentina MOATAR, Hervé PIEGAY, Nicolas POULET, Laura RODRIGUEZ, Hanieh SEYEDHASHEMI, Laurence TISSOT, Anne VIVIER, Cybill STAENTZEL
Received : 12 August 2025; Published : 24 November 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20870/Revue-SET.2025.48.9564

References

  • Aguiar, T. R., Bortolozo, F. R., Hansel, F. A., Rasera, K., & Ferreira, M. T. (2015). Riparian buffer zones as pesticide filters of no-till crops. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22(14), 10618‑10626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4281-5
  • Arora, K., Mickelson, S. K., Helmers, M. J., & Baker, J. L. (2010). Review of Pesticide Retention Processes Occurring in Buffer Strips Receiving Agricultural Runoff. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 46(3), 618‑647. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00438.x
  • Baxter, C. V., Fausch, K. D., & Saunders, W. C. (2005). Tangled webs: Reciprocal flows of invertebrate prey link streams and riparian zones. Freshwater Biology, 50(2), 201‑220. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2004.01328.x
  • Beschta, R. L. (1997). Riparian shade and stream temperature; an alternative perspective. Rangelands Archives, 19(2), 25‑28.
  • Bowler, D. E., Mant, R., Orr, H., Hannah, D. M., & Pullin, A. S. (2012). What are the effects of wooded riparian zones on stream temperature? Environmental Evidence, 1(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-2382-1-3
  • Boyer, M., Popoff, N., & Piton G. (2023). La gestion de la végétation dans le cadre de la compétence GEMAPI. Guide technique, Agence Régionale de la Biodiversité et de l’Environnement Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Collection technique, 106 p. https://www.arbe-regionsud.org/Block/download/?id=219978&filename=guide-ripisylve-web-vf.pdf
  • Brauman, K. A., Daily, G. C., Duarte, T. K., & Mooney, H. A. (2007). The nature and value of ecosystem services: An overview highlighting hydrologic services. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 32(1), 67‑98. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.32.031306.102758
  • Broadmeadow, S., Jones, J. G., Langford, T. E. L., Shaw, P. J., & Nisbet, T. R. (2011). The influence of riparian shade on lowland stream water temperatures in southern England and their viability for brown trout. River Research and Applications, 27(2), 226‑237. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.1354
  • Broadmeadow, S., & Nisbet, T. R. (2004). The effects of riparian forest management on the freshwater environment: A literature review of best management practice. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 8(3), 286‑305. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-8-286-2004
  • Burbank, J., Drake, D. A. R., & Power, M. (2022). Seasonal consumption of terrestrial prey by a threatened stream fish is influenced by riparian vegetation. Endangered Species Research, 47, 15‑27. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01161
  • Capon, S. J., Chambers, L. E., Mac Nally, R., Naiman, R. J., Davies, P., Marshall, N., Pittock, J., Reid, M., Capon, T., Douglas, M., Catford, J., Baldwin, D. S., Stewardson, M., Roberts, J., Parsons, M., & Williams, S. E. (2013). Riparian Ecosystems in the 21st Century: Hotspots for Climate Change Adaptation? Ecosystems, 16(3), 359‑381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-013-9656-1
  • Clauzel, C., Eggert, C., Tarabon, S., Pasquet, L., Vuidel, G., Bailleul, M., Miaud, C., & Godet, C. (2023). Analyser la connectivité de la trame turquoise : Définition, caractérisation et enjeux opérationnels. Sciences Eaux & Territoires, 43, 67‑71. https://doi.org/10.20870/Revue-SET.2023.43.7642
  • Cole, L. J., Brocklehurst, S., Robertson, D., Harrison, W., & McCracken, D. I. (2015). Riparian buffer strips: Their role in the conservation of insect pollinators in intensive grassland systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 211, 207‑220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2015.06.012
  • Cole, L. J., Stockan, J., & Helliwell, R. (2020). Managing riparian buffer strips to optimise ecosystem services: A review. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 296, 106891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.106891
  • Cooke, S., Vermaire, J. C., Baulch, H. M., Birnie-Gauvin, K., Twardek, W., & Richardson, J. S. (2022). Our failure to protect the stream and its valley: A call to back off from riparian development. Freshwater Science, 41(2), 719958. https://doi.org/10.1086/719958
  • Daigneault, A. J., Eppink, F. V., & Lee, W. G. (2017). A national riparian restoration programme in New Zealand: Is it value for money? Journal of Environmental Management, 187, 166‑177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.11.013
  • Dolloff, C. A., & Warren Jr, M. L. (2003). Fish relationships with large wood in small streams. American Fisheries Society Symposium, 37, 179‑193.
  • Dufour, S., Rodríguez-González, P. M., & Laslier, M. (2019). Tracing the scientific trajectory of riparian vegetation studies: Main topics, approaches and needs in a globally changing world. Science of The Total Environment, 653, 1168‑1185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.383
  • EFESE. (2019). La séquestration de carbone par les écosystèmes en France. Commissariat général du développement durable. https://www.documentation.eauetbiodiversite.fr/fr/notice/file/31470
  • Evette, A., Piton, G., Janssen, P., Dommanget, F., Popoff, N., Jaymond, D., Guilloteau, C., Leblois, S., de Danieli, S., Recking, A., Jung, D., Vivier, A., Martin, F.-M., Jaunatre, R., Mira, E., & Didier, M. (2022). Le génie végétal sur les berges de cours d’eau : Des techniques aux multiples bénéfices. Comprendre pour agir, 28 p. https://hal.science/hal-04102067/
  • Feld, C. K., Fernandes, M. R., Ferreira, M. T., Hering, D., Ormerod, S. J., Venohr, M., & Gutiérrez-Cánovas, C. (2018). Evaluating riparian solutions to multiple stressor problems in river ecosystems – A conceptual study. Water Research, 139, 381‑394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.04.014
  • Florsheim, J. L., Mount, J. F., & Chin, A. (2008). Bank erosion as a desirable attribute of rivers. BioScience, 58(6), 519‑529. https://doi.org/10.1641/B580608
  • Garnier, C. C. (2025). Les ripisylves « objet juridique non identifié » : revue synthétique des règlementations pouvant s’y appliquer, et éventuellement assurer leur protection. Dans : Villar et al., Ripisylves et forêts alluviales : Connaissances et gestion en contexte de changements globaux. Éditions Quae.
  • Gay, E. T., Martin, K. L., Caldwell, P. V., Emanuel, R. E., Sanchez, G. M., & Suttles, K. M. (2023). Riparian buffers increase future baseflow and reduce peakflows in a developing watershed. Science of The Total Environment, 862, 160834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160834
  • González del Tánago, M., Martínez-Fernández, V., Aguiar, F. C., Bertoldi, W., Dufour, S., García De Jalón, D., Garófano-Gómez, V., Mandzukovski, D., & Rodríguez-González, P. M. (2021). Improving river hydromorphological assessment through better integration of riparian vegetation: Scientific evidence and guidelines. Journal of Environmental Management, 292, 112730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112730
  • Gurnell, A. M., Gregory, K. J., & Petts, G. E. (1995). The role of coarse woody debris in forest aquatic habitats: Implications for management. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 5(2), 143‑166. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3270050206
  • Haase, P., Cortés-Guzmán, D., He, F., Jupke, J. F., Mangadze, T., Pelicice, F. M., Palmer, M. A., Rolls, R. J., Schäfer, R. B., Welti, E. A. R., Sinclair, J. S. (2025). Successes and failures of conservation actions to halt global river biodiversity loss. Nature Reviews Biodiversity, 1(2), 104-118. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44358-024-00012-x
  • Jowett, I. G., Richardson, J., & Boubée, J. A. T. (2009). Effects of riparian manipulation on stream communities in small streams: Two case studies. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 43(3), 763‑774. https://doi.org/10.1080/00288330909510040
  • Jyväsjärvi, J., Rajakallio, M., Brüsecke, J., Huttunen, K. L., Huusko, A., Muotka, T., & Taipale, S. J. (2022). Dark matters: Contrasting responses of stream biofilm to browning and loss of riparian shading. Global Change Biology, 28(17), 5159‑5171. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16279
  • Kail, J., Palt, M., Lorenz, A., & Hering, D. (2021). Woody buffer effects on water temperature: The role of spatial configuration and daily temperature fluctuations. Hydrological Processes, 35(1), e14008. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14008
  • Landis, D. A., Wratten, S. D., & Gurr, G. M. (2000). Habitat management to conserve natural enemies of arthropod pests in agriculture. Annual Review of Entomology, 45(1), 175‑201. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.45.1.175
  • Larsen, S., Alvarez-Martinez, J. M., Barquin, J., Bruno, M. C., Concostrina Zubiri, L., Gallitelli, L., Jonsson, M., Laux, M., Pace, G., Scalici, M., & Schulz, R. (2023). RIPARIANET - Prioritising riparian ecotones to sustain and connect multiple biodiversity and functional components in river networks. Research Ideas and Outcomes, 9, e108807. https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.9.e108807
  • Maisonneuve, C., & Rioux, S. (2001). Importance of riparian habitats for small mammal and herpetofaunal communities in agricultural landscapes of southern Québec. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 83(1‑2), 165‑175. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(00)00259-0
  • Marteau, B., Piégay, H., Chandesris, A., Michel, K., & Vaudor, L. (2022). Riparian shading mitigates warming but cannot revert thermal alteration by impoundments in lowland rivers. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 47(9), 2209‑2229. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5372
  • Mayer, P. M., Reynolds, S. K., McCutchen, M. D., & Canfield, T. J. (2007). Meta Analysis of Nitrogen Removal in Riparian Buffers. Journal of Environmental Quality, 36(4), 1172‑1180. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2006.0462
  • Naiman, R. J., Decamps, H., & Pollock, M. (1993). The role of riparian corridors in maintaining regional biodiversity. Ecological Applications, 3(2), 209‑212. https://doi.org/10.2307/1941822
  • Quiniou, M., & Piton, G. (2022). Embâcles: concilier gestion des risques et qualité des milieux. Guide de diagnostic et de recommandations. ISL Ingénierie ; INRAE, 135 p. https://hal.science/hal-03621373v1
  • Raitif, J., Plantegenest, M., & Roussel, J. M. (2019). From stream to land: Ecosystem services provided by stream insects to agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 270‑271, 32‑40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.10.013
  • Riis, T., Kelly-Quinn, M., Aguiar, F. C., Manolaki, P., Bruno, D., Bejarano, M. D., Clerici, N., Fernandes, M. R., Franco, J. C., Pettit, N., Portela, A. P., Tammeorg, O., Tammeorg, P., Rodríguez-González, P. M., & Dufour, S. (2020). Global overview of ecosystem services provided by riparian vegetation. BioScience, 70(6), 501‑514. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaa041
  • Roche, K., Šlapanský, L., Trávník, M., Janáč, M., & Jurajda, P. (2021). The importance of rip-rap for round goby invasion success – a field habitat manipulation experiment. Journal of Vertebrate Biology, 70(4). https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.21052
  • Rodríguez-González, P. M., Abraham, E., Aguiar, F., Andreoli, A., Baležentienė, L., Berisha, N., Bernez, I., Bruen, M., Bruno, D., Camporeale, C., Čarni, A., Chilikova Lubomirova, M., Corenblit, D., Ćušterevska, R., Doody, T., England, J., Evette, A., Francis, R., Garófano Gómez, V., … Dufour, S. (2022). Bringing the margin to the focus: 10 challenges for riparian vegetation science and management. WIREs Water, 9(5), e1604. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1604
  • Saklaurs, M., Liepiņa, A. A., Elferts, D., & Jansons, A. (2022). Social Perception of Riparian Forests. Sustainability, 14(15), 9302. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159302
  • Seyedhashemi, H., Vidal, J. P., Diamond, J. S., Thiéry, D., Monteil, C., Hendrickx, F., Maire, A., & Moatar, F. (2022). Regional, multi-decadal analysis reveals that stream temperature increases faster than air temperature. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 26(9), 2583‑2603. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2583-2022
  • Sutfin, N. A., Wohl, E. E., & Dwire, K. A. (2016). Banking carbon: A review of organic carbon storage and physical factors influencing retention in floodplains and riparian ecosystems. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 41(1), 38‑60. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3857
  • Thomas, H., & Nisbet, T. R. (2007). An assessment of the impact of floodplain woodland on flood flows. Water and Environment Journal, 21(2), 114‑126. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-6593.2006.00056.x
  • Tolkkinen, M., Vaarala, S., & Aroviita, J. (2021). The Importance of Riparian Forest Cover to the Ecological Status of Agricultural Streams in a Nationwide Assessment. Water Resources Management, 35(12), 4009‑4020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-021-02923-2
  • Tsai, Y., Zabronsky, H. M., Zia, A., & Beckage, B. (2022). Efficacy of Riparian Buffers in Phosphorus Removal: A Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Water, 4, 882560. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2022.882560
  • Turunen, J., Elbrecht, V., Steinke, D., & Aroviita, J. (2021). Riparian forests can mitigate warming and ecological degradation of agricultural headwater streams. Freshwater Biology, 66(4), 785‑798. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13678
  • Turunen, J., Markkula, J., Rajakallio, M., & Aroviita, J. (2019). Riparian forests mitigate harmful ecological effects of agricultural diffuse pollution in medium-sized streams. Science of The Total Environment, 649, 495‑503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.427
  • Ucar, T., & Hall, F. R. (2001). Windbreaks as a pesticide drift mitigation strategy: A review. Pest Management Science, 57(8), 663‑675. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.341
  • UICN. (2020). Standard mondial de l’UICN pour les solutions fondées sur la nature. Cadre accessible pour la vérification, la conception et la mise à l’échelle des SfN. Première édition. Gland, Suisse : UICN. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.08.fr
  • Villar, M., Chevalier, M., & Dufour, S. (2025). Ripisylves et forêts alluviales : Connaissances et gestion en contexte de changements globaux. Éditions Quae. https://www.quae.com/produit/1952/9782759241286/ripisylves-et-forets-alluviales

Abstract

Riparian forests refer to all forest stands and linear woodlands located along watercourses, at the interface between aquatic and terrestrial environments. In recent decades, a growing number of scientific studies have highlighted the ecological, societal, and economic benefits of preserving and restoring riparian forests. In the first part of this article, we summarize the benefits associated with riparian forests. In the second part, we present the arguments in favor of preserving and restoring riparian forests as strategies for mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects on rivers, biodiversity, and humans. These characteristics make the restoration of riparian vegetation a management measure to be developed in the coming years, within a framework that is well thought out and adapted to local constraints.

Authors

Anthony MAIRE

anthony.maire@edf.fr

Affiliation : EDF R&D, LNHE (Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement), Chatou

Country : France

Adeline AIRD

Affiliation : Conservatoire botanique national du Massif Central, Chavaniac-Lafayette, Antenne de Pélussin

Country : France

Antonin CONAN

Affiliation : EDF R&D, LNHE (Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement), Chatou

Country : France

Marylise COTTET

Affiliation : UMR 5600 Environnement Ville Société, Université de Lyon, Site ENS de Lyon, Lyon

Country : France

Camille DEBEIN

Affiliation : EDF R&D, LNHE (Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement), Chatou

Country : France

Léa DIECKHOFF

Affiliation : European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER), Karlsruhe

Country : Germany

Simon DUFOUR

Affiliation : Université Rennes 2, CNRS, LETG UMR 6554, Rennes

Country : France

Martial DURBEC

Affiliation : Fédération de l’Aveyron de pêche et de protection du milieu aquatique, Rodez

Country : France

André EVETTE

Affiliation : Université Grenoble Alpes, INRAE, LESSEM, Grenoble

Country : France

Sabine GREULICH

Affiliation : niversité Tours, CNRS, CITERES UMR 7324, École Polytechnique Universitaire, Tours

Country : France

Ines IMBERT

Affiliation : European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER), Karlsruhe

Country : Germany

Philippe JANSSEN

Affiliation : Université Grenoble Alpes, INRAE, LESSEM, Grenoble

Country : France

Marion LEGRAND

Affiliation : Loire Grands Migrateurs (LOGRAMI), Orléans

Country : France

Charlotte LE MOIGNE

Affiliation : Fédération des Conservatoires d'espaces naturels, Olivet

Country : France

Baptiste MARTEAU

Affiliation : Université Rennes 2, CNRS, LETG UMR 6554, Rennes

Country : France

Florentina MOATAR

Affiliation : INRAE, UR RiverLy, centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, Villeurbanne

Country : France

Hervé PIEGAY

Affiliation : UMR 5600 Environnement Ville Société, Université de Lyon, Site ENS de Lyon, Lyon

Country : France

Nicolas POULET

Affiliation : Pôle Ecohydraulique, Office français de la biodiversité, Institut des Mécaniques des Fluides, Toulouse

Country : France

Laura RODRIGUEZ

Affiliation : European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER), Karlsruhe

Country : Germany

Hanieh SEYEDHASHEMI

Affiliation : EDF R&D, LNHE (Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement), Chatou

Country : France

Laurence TISSOT

Affiliation : EDF R&D, LNHE (Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement), Chatou

Country : France

Anne VIVIER

Affiliation : Office français de la biodiversité, Direction de la recherche et de l’appui scientifique, Vincennes

Country : France

Cybill STAENTZEL

Affiliation : Université Strasbourg, ENGEES, CNRS, LIVE UMR 7362, Strasbourg

Country : France

classified by the main benefit considered in the publication. Download

Article statistics

Views: 441