Riparian and Aquatic Ecosystem Strategy

Riparian Strategy

Saving and restoring riparian environaments

Purpose

Water is a precious resource in the Southwest. Growing human demand and a changing climate create an urgency to protect these natural resources on the National Forests and Grassland. Riparian and aquatic areas, the places where land and water meet, are home to a unique group of plants, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals. These areas are essential to sustain life for millions of people and wildlife and plant species. We are inviting our partners to work with us to implement this strategy which is based on goals and objectives that will help maintain and restore these invaluable areas.

Read the Strategy Read the Desired-Existing Conditions Supplement

Aquatic-Riparian Inventory

The Aquatic-Riparian Inventory (ARI) represents a continual inventory and monitoring program for determining resource conditions and trends. ARI represents one of several corporate resources that support the assessment of indicators formalized in the Regional Riparian-Aquatic Ecosystem Strategy. ARI is a systematic and repeat inventory (10-year cycle) of riparian corridors in the Southwestern Region. It serves as a riparian-stream counterpart to the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) measurement of upland ecosystems. ARI uses a systematic sample design and high-resolution stereo aerial photography for the interpretation of one-hectare (2.5 acres) and two stream meanders sample units, to provide consistent and quantitative resource data supportive of landscape-level analysis. Please visit the ARI Story Map which provides detailed information on program and access to the data.

View ARI Story Map Collection Read the ARI Protocol Guide