Klapproth, Julia Caldwell2014-03-142014-03-141999-02-08etd-041399-091320http://hdl.handle.net/10919/37075Through the interaction of their soils, hydrology, and biotic communities, riparian forests protect and improve water quality, provide habitat for plants and animals, support aquatic communities, and provide many benefits to humans. Virginia, along with other states in the Chesapeake Bay region, has recognized the importance of riparian forests by implementing a plan to restore forested buffers along streams, rivers, and lakes. This project reviews selected literature on riparian forest buffers, including water quality functions, benefits to fish and wildlife, and human benefits. The review also discusses riparian buffer restoration and some of the costs and barriers associated with riparian forest buffer establishment. Information on financial and technical assistance programs available to Virginia landowners is included.<p>application/pdfen-USI hereby grant to Virginia Tech or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University Libraries in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation.wildlifeaquatic communitiesriparian forestWater qualityrecreationaestheticscommunity benefitsrestorationalternative incomecost-sharetechnical assistanceMajor paperhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-041399-091320/