Riparian vegetation is a typical ecotone by its structural and functional position between the terrestial part of the watershed and the stream (Naiman, Decamps 1990). In consequence, the riparian zone forming an integrated component of stream ecosystems significantly determines the aquatic community. Macroinvertebrates are affected by defined variability of environmental factors. In streams under canopy: light access is reduced; summer temperatures are lower; shed leaves form the main source of energy; insects falling from the vegetation into the water create another source of food; roots from trees form shelter and strongly influence hydraulic patterns. As a result, many (micro) habitats can exist and persist. The relationships between the covered percentage of the riparian zone, hydraulic processes, POM retention and macroinvertebrate functional organization was analyzed. Riparian vegetation forms a buffer zone in agricultural landscape and thus prevents inflow of nutrients, but also of fine sediments. Clearing of riparian vegetation changes all these conditions, resulting in a totally different and less varied biocommunity. Examples are given from Poland and The Netherlands.
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