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Macroinvertebrate and fish habitat is olden degraded its a result of agriculture. Riparian buffer strips are commonly used to counteract the negative effects of agriculture in headwater streams. We assessed the relation of multi-aged riparian buffer strips to in-stream habitat, macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages in an Iowa stream. In-stream habitat, macroinvertebrates, and fish were sampled from two buffered sites and two unbuffered sites, with the greatest substitute, water depth, and velocity heterogeneity occurring in buffered sites. The highest macroinvertebrate richness (11) as well as fish species richness (14). diversity (1.99) and IBI score (37) were found in the site buffered the longest. Habitat heterogeneity anti fish community richness and diversity were greater in buffered sites than unbuffered sires making them possible indicators with which short-term stream recovery can be measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]