On the margins of rivers, streams and wetlands riparian forests are composed of unique vegetation, as detailed in the following section.

ESTRUCTURE

Vertical

• Tree layer: the most characteristic species are alder, ash, poplar and cottonwood, elm and poplar.
• Stratum tree: young individuals of trees and woody upper strata as arrancles, heathers and willows.
• Shrub layer, dominated by sun-loving shrubs with great importance in the light and the outer edges of the forest.
• Herbaceous: nemoral made ​​from plants. It is also common to find nitrophilous species that develop on the materials carried by the stream.
• Stratum linanoide: highly developed especially in the thermal areas of Spain.
• Stratum epiphytes: mosses, lichens and liverworts.

Horizontal

The arrangement of plant communities if we look at a landscape view is characterized by placing the channel in parallel bands of the same. First you can find more hydrophilic species with high regeneration capacity and highly resistant to avenues such as alders and willows. In a second band would stand species with high soil moisture needs to vegetate as cottonwoods, poplars and ash trees. Finally, in the areas of maximum avenue may be other species riparian forest characteristics of the genus Quercus, cherry and others.

FUNCTIONS

• Dynamic regulation of rivers and their margins

• Flood prevention

• Prevent erosion

• Regulate the microclimate of the river

• Stabilize the banks

• Living habitat in many animal and plant species

• Connector ecosystem

• They function as recharge areas of groundwater

• They have a great environmental value, cultural and landscape.

CAUSES OF THEIR DETERORATION

• Exploitation of timber resources of interest

• Use of alluvial soils for agriculture for its favorable characteristics.

• Pressure form of human population centers.

• Installation of industrial areas that contribute to its degradation.

• Extraction of aggregates.

• Use as playgrounds.

• Pests and diseases such as DED.

• Construction of water infrastructure.

Sources:

http://www.fao.org

http://www.juntadeandalucia.es