Riparian Forest Buffers - Function for Protection and Enhancement of Water Resources

Abstract

Streamside forests are crucial to the protection and enhancement of the water resources of the Eastern United States. They are extremely complex ecosystems that help provide optimum food and habitat for stream communities as well as being useful in mitigating or controlling nonpoint source pollution (NPS). Used as a component of an integrated management system including nutrient management and sediment and erosion control practices, streamside forests can produce a number of beneficial effects on the quality of water resources. Streamside forests can be effective in removing excess nutrients and sediment from surface runoff and shallow groundwater and in shading streams to optimize light and temperature conditions for aquatic plants and animals. Streamside forests also ameliorate the effects of some pesticides, and directly provide dissolved and particulate organic food needed to maintain high biological productivity and diversity in the adjoining stream.

Citation

Welsch, David J. 1991. Riparian Forest Buffers - Function for Protection and Enhancement of Water Resources. NA-PR-07-91. [Broomall, PA:] U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Area State & Private Forestry