Riparian Buffers

I recently had the privilege of visiting a site along the James River to assess its shoreline. Shorelines are an interesting interface of land and water, which in our part of the state, are influenced daily by tidal ebbs and flows and, more infrequently, by storm events. In that intertidal zone there are numerous signs from the aquatic world (shells, crabs, fish pieces) as well as from the terrestrial world (fallen trees, flotsam, Cypress knees). As I walked along the shore I was reminded of the natural world, how it evolves, and how it works. I was initially struck by the beauty of the landscape running along the shoreline but ultimately had to recognize the function of this important conservation tool, known as a riparian buffer. 

Riparian buffers are vegetated areas (such as trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants) intentionally planted or preserved along the shorelines of water bodies or wetlands. These buffers play a crucial role in protecting water quality and the surrounding environment as they serve as the transition between the upland land use (such as agriculture, residential, industrial, etc.) and the waterbody or wetland. Science has confirmed that it is much easier (less costly) to control and manage pollutants (nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment) in the upland setting than to physically remove pollutants from the water. Think of the old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. 

Riparian buffers are credited with providing numerous environmental services to include: 

• Filtering runoff 

• Erosion control 

• Wildlife habitat 

• Temperature regulation of the adjacent waterbody 

  
  

The strip of trees and other vegetation in this photo is a riparian buffer that separates the aquatic ecosystem from the terrestrial ecosystem. The riparian buffer serves multiple roles from erosion control to flood mitigation to wildlife habitat. 

Signs of erosion can be observed in this photo such as the undercut tree roots (upper left), remnants of tree roots and stumps protruding from the beach (center), and a low steep slope along the beach caused by wave erosion known as a scarp (upper right). 

In parts of Virginia, riparian buffers are protected by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (CBPA). Enacted in 1988, local governments east of Interstate 95 and located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed were required to adopt ordinances which regulated a 100 foot zone along perennial waterways, wetlands, and floodplains. This zone is called the Resource Protection Area (RPA). CBPA also required local governments to identify sensitive lands in close proximity to waterways, wetlands, and floodplains, which would need special attention and consideration during development. These areas are called Resource Management Areas (RMA). 

Generally, riparian buffers don’t get much attention. Landowners will, from time to time, seek to remove trees within a buffer to improve a view, construct a dock, or create a walkway to the water’s edge. The bureaucratic struggle to obtain permission to alter the buffer can be frustrating to the landowner, especially when the function of the buffer is not recognized or prioritized. These buffers are so important for conserving our waters and even for protecting landowners from battling erosion issues. So, if you have an area of vegetation between your land and a body of water, please think twice before altering it, otherwise you could end up calling me to come and assess your own shoreline erosion issue. 

Riparian buffers can have a wide variety of vegetation in them, largely dependent on the elevation of the buffer. In this photo deciduous trees, evergreens, and marsh grasses can be seen. These plants must be able to withstand routine inundation from daily tide cycles and storm events. 

Read more articles in the Spring 2025 CSWCD Newsletter here.