The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program within the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN) has identified a number of vital signs to monitor the health of terrestrial and aquatic systems. Riparian plant communities are one of fourteen vital signs identified by the ERMN for long-term ecological moniroting. The purpose of this report is to provide background information on these communities for the five riverine parks included within ERMN: Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (UPDE), Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area (DEWA), Bluestone National Scenic River (BLUE), Gauley River National Recreation Area (GARI), and New River Gorge National River (NERI), for use in developing a monitoring program for riparian plant communities.