Recent advances in the study of riparian ecosystems

The riparian zone, the interlaced zone between land and water, plays an important role in preserving environmental quality from the ecological, landscape and social perspectives. Research from all over the world has demonstrated that the riparian zone serves as a corridor, buffer strip and a living retaining wall. Its irreplaceable functions include alleviation of non-point source pollution and prevention of soil erosion. Presently, riparian zone research is a hot topic in ecology, landscape restoration and watershed management. In this paper, the recent advances comcerning the riparian zone definition, structure and management theory are summarized and the present status of riparian zone models, protection and restoration are presented.