Riparian zone structure and function in southern Appalachian forested headwater catchments.

There is considerable interest in how riparian zones vary along the streamside-upland gradient in terms of above and below ground structure and function. The impetus for this interest is centered on the importance of riparian zones as buffers against upslope disturbances, principally timber management activities. At issue is what the appropriate functional width of iparian buffers is for the protection of critical terrestrial and aquatic habitats, and water quality during and following land disturbing activities. The first phase of this project is focused on characterizing variation in a variety of parameters along the streamside