Cause/feature	Effect
1. Retaining native streambank (riparian) vegetation for shade
2. Maintaining rich diversity of native plants
3. Keeping features such as rocks, tree roots and logs on banks and in streams
4. Preserving healthy riparian forest structure, including trees, shrubs and ground cover
5. Managing urban and rural land appropriately
6. Ensuring natural patterns of high and low flow in streams

a. promotes a diverse stream environment

b. suitable habitats, shelter and spawning sites for many animals

c. cooler water temperatures and fewer weeds due to shading from vegetation

d. reduces erosion and maintains high water quality for native animals

e. provides food and shelter for a wide variety of animals

f. reduces pollution and erosion, producing healthy, sustainable streams

Poorly managed stream

Cause/feature	Effect
1. Removal of shady, native riparian vegetation
2. Loss of native riparian and instream plants
3. Removal of rocks, tree roots and logs and build-up of silt on streambeds
4. Unprotected and eroding stream banks
5. Poor land use management in catchments
6. Over-extraction of water from streams

a. dies, exotic pest fish may survive

b. removes habitat of native aquatic species

c. increases light and promotes growth of exotic pest plants

d. leads to pollution, salination and siltation

e. greatly decreases water quality by increasing sediment in streams

f. reduces food sources for native animals

Death by degradation