Riparian Corridor

A riparian corridor is the adjacent land along a watercourse that includes all of the complex communities of an ecosystem.  Riparian corridors often have unique vegetation and soil types that host a high diversity of species.  Wetlands and floodplains associated with these corridors help to regulate streamflow and maintain water quality. The type of land cover within the riparian corridor is directly related to the health of the corridor and the overall health of the stream. Land cover data can be used to assess the conditions of riparian corridors.  Updated Davis Creek Watershed land cover data were extracted for a 100 meter wide buffer surrounding the Creek from East Lake to the Kalamazoo River.  Land use data in the buffer were then tabulated in segments according to township and section.   This information is summarized as follows.