Riparian and Wetland Habitats
Mapping and restoring California’s most productive and threatened ecosystems
Along California’s rivers, streams, and wetlands, some of the state’s most productive and biodiverse ecosystems quietly do the work that sustains us—filtering water, storing carbon, and supporting the food webs that native wildlife depends on. Riparian habitats hug the banks of streams and floodplains, while wetlands are defined by seasonally or permanently saturated soils. They come in many forms, including freshwater marshes, moist shrublands, and multi-layered riparian forests, each shaped by the water regimes and conditions of its region. Despite their importance, California has lost 85–98% of our crucial wetland and riparian areas due to development, agriculture, pollution, and water diversion—making what remains among the most urgent conservation priorities in the state.
California’s riparian and wetland habitats are among the state’s most ecologically significant and most threatened. Here’s what makes them remarkable.
CNPS conducts research and classification to better understand the taxonomy of riparian and wetland plants and vegetation community types.
CNPS monitors and analyzes riparian and wetland habitats across Bureau of Land Management lands in California to inform land stewardship decisions.
Local CNPS chapters carry out restoration projects along creeks, rivers, and wetland habitats, including the El Dorado, Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mountains, Sacramento Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, San Diego, South Coast, and Yerba Buena chapters.
Resources and References
Learn More about Riparian Ecosystems
