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Analysis of Impervious Cover in Riparian Zones
Published in Yeqiao Wang, Fresh Water and Watersheds, 2020
Jessica Morgan, Yeqiao Wang, Naomi Detenbeck
Riparian buffer areas provide a number of functions for maintaining the integrity of stream ecosystems threatened by encroaching urbanization, including water temperature regulation; bank stability; sources of organic and inorganic material; energy dissipation; and nutrient, sediment, and contaminant retention (Allan 2004, Chen et al. 1998, Gregory et al. 1991, Naiman and Decamps 1997, Naiman et al. 2005). Further, forested and wetland riparian buffer areas have been shown to help to mitigate the effects of urbanization, even when the natural functions of these zones are altered by stormwater drainage infrastructure (Smucker et al. 2013). Recognizing the key role that buffer areas play in preserving water quality, municipalities across the Northeast have enacted regulations to protect and restore riparian areas using a variety of methods for determining optimal buffer widths.
Water basin management
Published in Nick F. Gray, Water Science and Technology: An Introduction, 2017
The management of the riparian (bankside) zones is the most important factor in surface water conservation, especially of rivers, and reflects the shift in attitude from just the river channel to overall consideration of the catchment as a whole. Specific attention is now given to the aquatic–terrestrial interface, which in most rivers is not only the primary source of its productivity, but also the source of detrimental inputs such as nutrients and toxicants. Bankside vegetation provides habitat diversity and allochthonous organic matter (Section 3.3), helps to regulate water temperature, light, surface run-off and interflow from the adjoining land, erosion of banks and nutrient transfer and, most importantly, helps to control flooding downstream. Planting conifers and poor forestry practice exert significant chemical and physical influences on surface waters, causing acidification in base-poor catchments, and increase nutrients (especially phosphorus) and sediment (especially during deforestation). The use of riparian strips of broadleaves and grassland to protect streams has been highly effective in counteracting the effects of afforestation on freshwaters. However, the degree to which macro-invertebrates benefit from riparian management in streams is restricted by low pH. The management of riparian zones is generally significant at a local level but is unable to buffer the effects of acidification, which can only be tackled at a supra-catchment level. The management of riparian zones is, however, the first step within a wider management plan. Riparian buffer zones are highly effective in nutrient and sediment removal and are increasingly used to protect all types of water resources. Improved management practices on farms and of the riparian zones can also bring about significant water quality improvement (Table 6.16). The protection of water resources in relation to agriculture is considered further in Section 19.2.
AFO/CAFO Siting: Physical Factors
Published in Frank R. Spellman, Nancy E. Whiting, Environmental Management of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), 2007
Frank R. Spellman, Nancy E. Whiting
Key term: A riparian buffer is land next to streams, lakes, or wetlands that is managed for perennial vegetation (grass, shrubs, or trees) to enhance and protect aquatic resources from adverse impacts of agricultural practices.
Evaluating the effects of BMPs on agricultural contaminants using a novel method accounting for uncertainty in water flow and contaminant loads
Published in Canadian Water Resources Journal / Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques, 2019
Claudie Ratté-Fortin, Alain N. Rousseau, Georges Thériault, Éric van Bochove
In 2009, the riparian buffer reduced load by 25.4% and load by 10.7%. Given that the micro-watershed has steep slopes (3 to 8%) and the riparian buffer was 3 m wide (if the bank width was less than 3 m wide, 1 m was added to the flat upper part of the buffer), the level of effectiveness obtained is consistent with results reported in the literature. For example, a 5-m-wide grass riparian buffer showed 54% effectiveness in reducing the flux of and 61% effectiveness in reducing the flux of (Dillaha et al. 1989). Li et al. (2011) evaluated effects of BMPs, such as riparian buffers and grassed waterways, in a small watershed in Manitoba, Canada, and showed that, collectively, these practices reduced fluxes of total nitrogen () and by 41% and 32%, respectively. Jaynes et al. (2004) studied the effect of split N application for corn production in terms of reducing losses within a watershed in Iowa, United States, and found a relative reduction of more than 30% in nitrate concentration in surface water.
Real-time consequences of riparian cattle trampling for mobilization of sediment, nutrients and bacteria in a British lowland river
Published in International Journal of River Basin Management, 2018
Jennifer L. Wilson, Mark Everard
A range of initiatives has been implemented in the UK to control cattle trampling of river margins, working with farmers to improve farm practices. (The cutting up of land through repeated trampling by stock is often referred to as ‘poaching’ in the UK.) In East Devon, the River Otter Catchment Management Project aims to reduce nitrate inputs to watercourses by changing land use practices through targeted farm visits and advice (South West Water 2013). Restricting cattle access generally results in better water quality compared to similar streams with unlimited access (Nagels et al.2002, Line 2003, Muenz et al.2006). This is achieved through reductions in risks of run-off affecting water quality, improved buffering of flows and regeneration of ecologically functional zones (Everard and Jevons 2010). Riparian buffer zones, comprising fenced strips of land limiting cattle access, allow the natural regeneration of a vegetated interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (Martin et al.1999) providing substantial ecosystem service benefits (Everard 2015). Well-developed riparian zones help maintain bank stability due to soil binding by roots, increasing sheer strength and resistance to erosion with reported substantial decreases in sediment exports to rivers (Smith 1976, Knighton 1998, McKergrow et al.2003). They also act as barriers for nutrient and pesticide run-off (O’Grady 2006), and return direct benefits to farmers such as reducing stock straying (Everard and Jevons 2010) and protecting the microbial quality of water supplies (Kilfeather and Feehan 2009). Other changes to farming practices can also reduce the impacts of cattle trampling, although these are generally less effective that buffer zoning (Line et al.2000).
Application of NRCS-CN method for estimation of watershed runoff and disaster risk
Published in Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 2019
To mitigate the damage inflicted on riverbanks scoured by flooding, the concept of a riparian buffer zone was introduced (Lin et al. 2002). In this study, hydrographic, slope aspect, and elevation data were used to determine the elevation differences between the river banks and centerline of river channels. In regions where the elevation difference was found to be smaller than the flood level plus the depth of bottom scouring, a buffer zone should be created and the region should not be developed.