Explore the River: Riparian Habitat

We know what high quality riparian habitat looks like. It is diverse. It includes an overstory of large mature trees, a diverse shrub understory, and meadows of forbs, sedges, and grasses. It is expansive, occurring on undeveloped floodplains connected to the river. The shrub understory often forms dense thickets. And the plants are native. These characteristics mean the riparian zone will provide shade, food and water; escape, hiding and resting cover; breeding and rearing habitat; and travel routes for literally hundreds of wildlife species. Up to seventy-five percent of western Montana's vertebrate species depend upon, or utilize, riparian habitat.


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Explore the River: Riparian Habiat

We know what high quality riparian habitat looks like. It is diverse. It includes an overstory of large mature trees, a diverse shrub understory, and meadows of forbs, sedges, and grasses. It is expansive, occurring on undeveloped floodplains connected to the river. The shrub understory often forms dense thickets. And the plants are native. These characteristics mean the riparian zone will provide shade, food and water; escape, hiding and resting cover; breeding and rearing habitat; and travel routes for literally hundreds of wildlife species. Up to seventy-five percent of western Montana's vertebrate species depend upon, or utilize, riparian habitat.


Learn More


Explore the River: Riparian Habiat

We know what high quality riparian habitat looks like. It is diverse. It includes an overstory of large mature trees, a diverse shrub understory, and meadows of forbs, sedges, and grasses. It is expansive, occurring on undeveloped floodplains connected to the river. The shrub understory often forms dense thickets. And the plants are native. These characteristics mean the riparian zone will provide shade, food and water; escape, hiding and resting cover; breeding and rearing habitat; and travel routes for literally hundreds of wildlife species. Up to seventy-five percent of western Montana's vertebrate species depend upon, or utilize, riparian habitat.

Learn More