Research has shown that in-stream water temperatures control ecological processes (i.e. ecosystem metabolism) and directly regulate biodiversity when upper lethal limits of resident aquatic fauna are exceeded. Water temperatures can be controlled by adequate riparian shading, and this may have flow-on improvements to lower river systems and estuaries. The control of water temperature through riparian shading, is an area of restoration where target values can be set and consequently the amount of vegetation required to meet these targets can be specified.