Riparian buffers are vegetated, often forested, areas (“strips”) adjacent to streams, rivers, lakes and other waterways protecting aquatic environments from the impacts of surrounding land use. To the extent possible riparian buffers should compose of native species and typically are divided in three zones with a total width of 15 to 200 meters. The first zone should consist of different grasses, a middle zone planted with bushes and a last part with large trees.