riparian

[ri-pair-ee-uh n, rahy-] /rɪˈpɛər i ən, raɪ-/
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or situated or dwelling on the bank of a river or other body of water:
riparian villas.
noun
2.
Law. a person who owns land on the bank of a natural watercourse or body of water.
Origin
1840-50; < Latin rīpāri(us) that frequents riverbanks (rīp(a) bank of a river + -ārius -ary) + -an
Related forms
nonriparian, adjective, noun
Examples from the web for riparian
  • It recently held a full-day symposium devoted to the benefits of riparian buffer zones for waterside properties.
  • But it will also generate less controversy among downstream riparian neighbours.
  • Breeding: open woodlands with dense undergrowth, riparian corridors, and parks.
  • Breeding: nests in a variety of habitats, from mixed coniferous forest to montane riparian.
  • riparian vegetation around streams has been particularly degraded.
  • Small populations extend onto deserts along riparian corridors.
  • River habitats, called riparian systems, often contain lush vegetation and a wealth of animal species.
  • Breeding: mainly open woodlands and riparian areas, especially fond of cottonwoods.
  • Breeding: deciduous woodlands, primarily riparian areas.
  • Breeding: deciduous forest, forest-edge parkland, riparian forest.
British Dictionary definitions for riparian

riparian

/raɪˈpɛərɪən/
adjective
1.
of, inhabiting, or situated on the bank of a river
2.
denoting or relating to the legal rights of the owner of land on a river bank, such as fishing or irrigation
noun
3.
(property law) a person who owns land on a river bank
Word Origin
C19: from Latin rīpārius, from rīpa a river bank
Contemporary definitions for riparian
adjective

pertaining to the banks of a river or stream

Word Origin

Latin ripa 'bank, shore'

Word Origin and History for riparian
adj.

"of or pertaining to river banks," 1849, with -an + Latin riparius "of a river bank," from riparia "shore," later used in reference to the stream flowing between the banks, from ripa "(steep) bank of a river, shore," probably literally "break" (and indicating the drop off from ground level to the stream bed), or else "that which is cut out by the river," from PIE root *rei- "to scratch, tear, cut" (cf. Greek ereipia "ruins," eripne "slope, precipice;" Old Norse rifa "break, to tear apart;" Danish rift "breach," Middle High German rif "riverbank, seashore;" English riven, rift).

riparian in Science
riparian
  (rĭ-pâr'ē-ən)   
Relating to or inhabiting the banks of a natural course of water. Riparian zones are ecologically diverse and contribute to the health of other aquatic ecosystems by filtering out pollutants and preventing erosion. Salmon in the Pacific Northwest feed off riparian insects; trees such as the black walnut, the American sycamore, and the cottonwood thrive in riparian environments.