Code
A02
Sector
Agriculture
Other sector(s)
Urban
Forest
Hydro Morphology
The complete description of the NWRM
Summary

Buffer strips are areas of natural vegetation cover (grass, bushes or trees) at the margin of fields, arable land, transport infrastructures and water courses. They can have several different configurations of vegetation found on them varying from simply grass to combinations of grass, trees, and shrubs.  Due to their permanent vegetation, buffer strips offer good conditions for effective water infiltration and slowing surface flow; they therefore promote the natural retention of water. They can also significantly reduce the amount of suspended solids, nitrates and phosphates originating from agricultural run-off. Buffer strips can be sited in riparian zones, or away from water bodies as field margins, headlands or within fields (e.g. beetle banks). Hedges across long, steep slopes may reduce soil erosion as they intercept and slow surface run-off water before it builds into damaging flow, particularly where there is a margin or buffer strip alongside.

 

For the purpose of this catalogue, riparian buffer (see F1) are considered a separate NWRM as they generally have different design, implementation and management criteria.

Possible benefits with level
Benefits Level
BP2 - Slow runoff
High
BP5 - Increase evapotranspiration
Medium
BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge
Low
BP7 - Increase soil water retention
Medium
BP9 - Intercept pollution pathways
Medium
BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery
High
BP11 - Improve soils
Low
BP14 - Create terrestrial habitats
Medium
BP17 - Absorb and/or retain CO2
Medium
ES3 - Natural biomass production
Low
ES4 - Biodiversity preservation
Low
ES5 - Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Medium
ES6 - Groundwater/aquifer recharge
Medium
ES7 - Flood risk reduction
High
ES8 - Erosion/sediment control
High
ES9 - Filtration of pollutants
High
PO1 - Improving status of biology quality elements
Low
PO2 - Improving status of physico-chemical quality elements
Low
PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements
Medium
PO4 - Improving chemical status and priority substances
Low
PO5 - Improving quantitative status
Low
PO6 - Improving chemical status
Low
PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration
High
PO8 - Prevent groundwater status deterioration
Medium
PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks
High
PO10 - Protection of important habitats
Low
PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure
High
PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry
High
PO13 - Better management of fish stocks
Low
PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss
High

Case studies per NWRM