b'Riparian SpongeO ver and over, rivers teach usPlants too are good teachers, andover tall, leafy, wide-bladed that her protective clothing ofthey work closely in tandem withgrasses onto the next bunchgrass, plants must never be thoughtlesslythe rivers. Those with the highestthen onto the next, and so on removed. She refuses to submit tostability are always seen in healthydown the riverbank. Rushing the idea that her clothes should beriparian zones. Their deep andwater lays them down, each tailored into a nice yard.fibrous multi-functional roots storeoverlapping the next. Taller Instead, she wants us towater during times of plentygrasses function exactly like understand her need for what herand slowly release it when times ofshingles on a roof to shed water closest human friends call adrouth return. Hence the sponge. flowing over them. They protect riparian sponge. Riparianthe ground from violent, turbulent describes the meandering zoneBut those roots are also anchoringdigging. Above them, the surrounding the riverbanks. Theseand interlocking with each other,interlocked bushes and trees are areas extend out from normalwith the giant ancient trees, andsurrounded at ground level with water levelssometimes so farthe land itself. During times oftall native grasses. Together they that flood plains mingle withraging floodwaters, riparian plantswork as a living shield to protect foothills.bind together with the trees tothe earth during floods and to slow hold the banks in place and helpthe velocity of the raging torrents. In trying to understand a riparianprevent the land from tearing.This important work cannot be sponge, think of the role thatdone by the ancient trees alone.plants play in keeping our ancientClose your eyes. river sisters properly clothed.Picture a wall of water pushingA wide diversity of native plants evolved with the river over thousands of years. They know exactly how to live right here, without much extra care. When floodwaters recede, riparian plants slowly rise back up and life goes on. When the water and mud dry out, they simply stand back up and keep on keepin on. From time to time, with or without healthy riparian areas, large old ancient trees may fall and be swept down in the raging waters. Yet, the rivers have a plan. Big, downed wood is but another crucial element of her long-term health. She knows what to do.'