Forest riparian buffers

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.