Forest riparian buffers
Code:
F01
Sector:
Forest
The complete description of the NWRM:
Summary:
Riparian buffers are treed areas alongside streams and other water bodies. While most commonly associated with set asides following forest harvest, riparian buffers can also be found in urban, agricultural and wetland areas. By preserving a relatively undisturbed area adjacent to open water, riparian buffers can serve a number of functions related to water quality and flow moderation. The trees in riparian areas can efficiently take up excess nutrients and may also serve to increase infiltration. Riparian buffers serve to slow water as it moves off the land. This can decrease sediment inputs to surface waters.
Illustration(s):
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Riparian buffer Source: |
Riparian buffer |
Possible benefits with level:
| Benefits |
Level |
|---|---|
| BP1 - Store runoff | Medium |
| BP2 - Slow runoff | Medium |
| BP8 - Reduce pollutant sources | Medium |
| BP9 - Intercept pollution pathways | Medium |
| BP12 - Create aquatic habitat | Medium |
| BP16 - Reduce peak temperature | Medium |
| ES9 - Filtration of pollutants | Medium |
| PO1 - Improving status of biology quality elements | Medium |
| PO2 - Improving status of physico-chemical quality elements | Medium |
| PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements | Medium |
| PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration | Medium |
| PO10 - Protection of important habitats | Medium |
| PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry | Medium |
| PO13 - Better management of fish stocks | Medium |
| PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss | Medium |
| ES2 - Fish stocks and recruiting | Medium |
| BP5 - Increase evapotranspiration | Low |
| BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge | Low |
| BP7 - Increase soil water retention | Low |
| BP11 - Improve soils | Low |
| BP14 - Create terrestrial habitats | Low |
| BP17 - Absorb and/or retain CO2 | Low |
| ES1 - Water storage | Low |
| ES3 - Natural biomass production | Low |
| ES7 - Flood risk reduction | Low |
| ES11 - Aesthetic/cultural value | Low |
| PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks | Low |
| BP4 - Slow river water | Low |
| ES6 - Groundwater/aquifer recharge | Low |
| ES10 - Recreational opportunities | Low |
| ES12 - Navigation | Low |
| PO4 - Improving chemical status and priority substances | Low |
| PO6 - Improving chemical status | Low |
| PO8 - Prevent groundwater status deterioration | Low |
| BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery | High |
| BP13 - Create riparian habitat | High |
| ES4 - Biodiversity preservation | High |
| ES8 - Erosion/sediment control | High |
| PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure | High |
Case study(ies):
- Natural bank stabilization and riparian buffer galleries along the Odelouca River, Portugal
- Órbigo River ecological status improvement, Spain
- Dyke relocation on the river Elbe near Lenzen, Germany
- Fluvial and ecosystem restoration of the Arga-Aragon Rivers, Spain
- Slowing the Flow at Pickering, UK
- River basin management of the Ill, France
- Polder management near Altenheim, Germany
- Revitalisation of the Borova stream, Czech Republic
- Preservation of floodplain forests, Slovakia
- Wetland restoration and remeandering in SPA Dunajské luhy (Slovakia) and SPA Szigetkoz (Hungary)
- Riparian forests along the Maritsa river, Bulgaria
- Restoration of riparian forests in Bulgaria
- Wetland biodiversity protection in Kamanos Strict Nature Reserve, Lithuania
in-depth 
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Last updated: 09 Jun 2015 | Top
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