Wildlife Habitat Highlight: Healthy Streams Support Wildlife

Riparian zones, the vegetated area directly adjacent to streams and rivers, provide ideal habitat for lots of wildlife. From the smallest insect larvae to larger mammals like deer, many species benefit and depend on the health of these streamside ecosystems. The combination of forest cover, available water, and lush vegetation provides ideal conditions for wildlife to thrive. Among the species that benefit is the Red Eft -- the juvenile of the Eastern Red-Spotted Newt -- and one of Vermont's most distinct and cherished amphibians, easily recognized by its vibrant red-orange coloring. This species depends on healthy streams, ponds, and the surrounding terrestrial habitat throughout their whole life cycle, making healthy riparian zones critical to its wellbeing and survival. 

The Eastern Newt relies on aquatic habitats, such as slow-moving streams, ponds, and marshes, for its breeding and larval stages. Eastern Newts lay eggs on submerged vegetation and leaves beneath the water's surface, meaning their access to the vegetation, fallen wood, and debris found in healthy streams is critical for this step of their life cycle. Once hatched, the larvae eat small aquatic invertebrates present in these aquatic environments.  

Water quality also plays a big role in the species’ success. Riparian buffers surrounding healthy streams help maintain that quality in a few ways. Riparian buffers provide shade, helping to block sunlight from the stream and keep temperatures cool. These cooler temperatures are critical for the Eastern Red-Spotted Newt and many other aquatic species. By limiting the amount of sunlight reaching the stream, shading can also help control algae growth, reducing the risk of eutrophication in a stream.  

During metamorphosis, the larvae absorb their gills, flatten their tails, and develop rougher skin, transforming into a Red Eft. After this stage, they leave the water, migrating to the surrounding woodlands in search of food and shelter. This process generally happens in August and September, so keep your eyes peeled for these bright amphibians!  

Red Efts feed on small invertebrates found in these forested areas, like snails and soil mites. They thrive in forested habitats with plenty of leaf litter, where they often forage and take refuge. Moist, cool environments are especially important, as they help keep the Efts’ skin hydrated. Forested riparian areas along waterways serve as critical corridors, offering protection and access to food and water during their migration. The shade provided by these forests helps them stay cooler, reducing the risk of stress and overheating.  

After maturing from their Red Eft stage, Eastern Newts thrive in moist, cool forested environments with streams, ponds or marshes. The Riparian buffer alongside streams and waterways provides the ideal habitat conditions for these Eastern Newts to survive and thrive. 

Eastern newts also serve as valuable biological indicators of stream health. There are many aquatic species that can signal the condition of the stream based on their sensitivity to pollution. For example, worms and mosquito larvae are more pollution tolerant, so their abundance may indicate possible pollution or a less healthy environment. In contrast, Eastern Newts, along with Mayfly and Stonefly larvae are more pollution sensitive species, requiring cleaner water, making their presence a sign of a healthier ecosystem.  

Eastern Newts are considered a sensitive species, meaning they are more sensitive and reactive to changes in water quality and temperature and are vulnerable to environmental changes and pollution. Their dependence on clean, stable aquatic environments makes them a helpful indicator of ecological health. When eastern newt populations decline, it can signal environmental stress, pollution, or other disturbances in the watershed.  

If you have a stream on your property, you can help support wildlife and healthy streams! Stream Wise is an initiative created by the Lake Champlain Basin Program, which engages streamside property owners in the Lake Champlain Basin to enhance and protect vegetated stream buffers, increasing flood resiliency and benefiting water quality and natural habitat. Through the initiative, partnering organizations including Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District provide free on-site consultations to streamside landowners, providing guidance on how to best steward our streams. 

If you have a stream on your property and want to learn more about best management practices to protect land, water and functional wildlife corridors, contact the Franklin County NRCD for a Stream Wise Consultation at kerry@franklincountynrcd.org or use the following form: https://forms.gle/dYFxibBnxTv4w1fr9.