Researchers at the university of georgia have evaluated trends in streamside forests in areas within roughly 400 feet of the state’s streams and rivers. a decline in streamed forests is evident across much of the state. between 1974 and 2005, 41 of the state’s 52 large watersheds showed declines in riparian forests. the greatest losses were in the upper chattahoochee, middle savannah, upper ocmulgee, and middle chattahoochee. stream-side or riparian land lies directly along rivers, streams, and other bodies of water and provide benefit to the aquatic ecosystems in all but one of the ways listed here. a) to maintain stream temperatures b) adds aesthetic value to the landscape c) riparian vegetation traps and removes pollutants d) produces organic matter that aquatic animals use as food