Assessment of Watershed Management and Planning for Riparian Zone Restoration of BIPOSC Project North Sumatera 2nd Deliverable: Riparian Planning

Abstract

The riparian zone is a transitional area between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems located along the banks of rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. Ecologically, this zone is characterized by fluctuating water levels, dominance of hydrophytic vegetation, and high biodiversity resulting from gradients in soil moisture and nutrients that are unique to this environment. This area plays a critical role in: • Maintaining water quality by filtering sediments, nutrients, and pollutants before they enter water bodies • Controlling riverbank erosion through vegetation root systems • Providing ecological corridors for wildlife and landscape connectivity • Contributing to microclimate regulation by managing water, soil, and air temperatures through canopy shading • Serving as a source of organic carbon input (leaf litter, coarse woody debris) for aquatic ecosystems • Storing carbon for climate change mitigation Pressure on riparian zones continues to increase, particularly in oil palm plantation landscapes such as the Bilah Watershed (DAS Bilah), making riparian restoration an urgent priority. ...