Water Is Life: Importance and Management of Riparian Areas for Rangeland Wildlife

Abstract Water scarcity and climatic variability shape human settlement patterns and wildlife distribution and abundance on arid and semi-arid rangelands. Riparian areas–the transition between water and land–are rare but disproportionately important habitats covering just a fraction of the land surface (commonly < 2% in the western U.S.). Riparian areas provide critical habitat for fish and other aquatic species, while also supporting the vast majority (70–80%) of terrestrial wildlife during some portion of their life cycle. Diverse riparian types serve as vital sources of water and late summer productivity as surrounding uplands dry during seasonal drought. The health and function of rangeland riparian systems are closely tied to hydrology, geomorphology, and ecology. Riparian areas have attracted intense human use resulting in their widespread degradation. Conservation actions, including improved livestock grazing management and restoration, can help maintain and enhance riparian resilience to drought, wildfire, and flooding. This chapter provides readers with an introduction to the importance of riparian areas in rangelands, their nature and ecology, functions for wildlife, and prevailing management and restoration approaches.