Riparian management and stream bank erosion in New Zealand

ABSTRACTImprovements in riparian management, such as shrub/tree planting and livestock exclusion, are often assumed to result in reduced stream bank erosion and associated catchment sediment yield. Studies that quantify the effectiveness of riparian interventions aimed at reducing bank erosion and river sediment yields are, however, rare. This paper discusses how bank erosion processes can vary throughout catchments (with particular reference to their scale dependence) and hence how the effectiveness of different riparian interventions can be variable. The findings of known published accounts of the effectiveness of riparian management interventions for reducing stream bank erosion in New Zealand are also summarised. Only nine relevant studies were identified and most used qualitative or semi-quantitative analysis methods. Most studies compared stream banks in pasture catchments (with unlimited livestock access) with stream banks where livestock were excluded and riparian shrubs/trees were present. Many s...