Human Effects on Riparian Health:

Russian River, CA

Presenter: Robin Glas

Presenter Status: Faculty

Academic Year: 19-20

Semester: Spring

Department: Geology

Abstract:
As of recent, the water quality and the natural habitat of the Russian River have been devastated by people polluting the riparian zone. From homeless encampments to fecal matter and urban runoff, humans have used this fragile ecosystem to dump harmful chemicals into the water. This case study includes data from multiple published documents to help better distinguish the critical damage that humans cause along the Russian River. Looking into the different ways people contaminate this water system, we identify how human activity has degraded water quality as well as riparian ecosystem health. Human pollution and urban runoff play the greatest role in the degradation of the Russian River, and cleanup/ restoration efforts have concentrated in areas where pollution is most common. The water quality of the Russian River not only affects how aquatic ecosystems thrive, but many local residents also visit the river for recreational use and depend on the river for local uses.