RIVERWOODS
Aspen thrives alongside watercourses, providing vital food, shade and shelter for young fish.
Aspen is particularly adapted to thrive alongside rivers and watercourses – the so-called riparian zone. Riparian woodland in Scotland is vastly diminished with many of our rivers now running through open, de-wooded landscapes.
Trees bind loose, gravelly riverbanks, their falling leaves enrich the water and their roots provide sanctuary for young fish. More significantly perhaps, the shading provided by riparian woodland helps to reduce water temperatures. This is critical for fish such as Atlantic salmon that rely on clean, cold water.
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