Natural areas abundant with diverse vegetation are often destroyed by land clearing for roads and other infrastructure5. These areas are critical to maintaining the health of the ecosystem. To mitigate the effects of erosion, vegetation plays an important role in rehabilitating the health of shorelines. There are many benefits to having a diverse vegetative cover on shorelines, such as acting as a filter, interrupting waves, and lessening the impacts on suspended sediment3. Native vegetation provides benefits since no fertilizers are needed for production, unlike non-native species3. Marsh plants for example on shorelines have been shown to reduce erosion impacts by attenuating wave energy which is proportional to the height and density of vegetation1. The vegetation surrounding shorelines filters runoff water and removes harmful contaminants and nutrients that can enter water bodies. Therefore, areas that lack biodiverse vegetation on shorelines are more susceptible to wake-induced erosion.
Septic tanks that break down our wastes are dependent on the natural actions of soil organisms and plant life to prevent simple nutrients and bacteria from entering our surface water bodies. Educating lakefront property owners on the importance of vegetation on shorelines will help mitigate surface water quality concerns as the vegetative surface will act as a buffer and purify the water. Vegetative buffers can also prevent further land loss by protecting shorelines and banks from being destroyed. Additionally, riparian vegetation can help reduce the impacts of flood water on shoreline properties by increasing the absorption of water. Programs like Doggone-it with Algae developed by the NSRBC provide Red-Osier Dogwood seedlings to local communities and businesses across lake shoreline properties to promote native vegetation growth4.
The goal of environmental management is to reduce the overall ecological footprint of communities while allowing humans to co-exist with nature and continue to enjoy the benefits of living outside of urban areas5. Regular monitoring and water testing should continue to be carried out by enforcement agencies and locals on activities along the shorelines and riverbank to ensure effluent standards and other sanitary conditions are monitored2. Promote natural vegetation on shorelines by visiting the Love Your Lake Program and find what native plants to grow in which region.
Educational Pamphlets
How to Naturalize Your Shoreline – Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Maintaining your Naturalized Shoreline: Shoreline Vegetation Stewardship Manual – The Natural Edge
A Shoreline Owner’s Guide to Healthy Waterfronts – Lakeland Alliance
Love Your Lake Program – Natural Shoreline
Value of Shoreline Vegetation – US Army of Engineers
