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Abstract
Due to concentrated surface water runoff, edge-of-field buffers may ineffectually mitigate agricultural nonpoint source pollution. To address this challenge, we evaluated the AgBufferBuilder (ABB) tool, which designs nonlinear buffers based on hydrologic modeling. ABB was tested on 45 areas of interest (AOIs) within the Saginaw Bay basin in central Michigan (United States) to determine the effectiveness of ABB at improving sediment trapping efficiency from runoff compared to existing conditions. While ABB did not consistently achieve the target sediment trapping efficiency rate of 75% in all AOIs, it demonstrated potential for enhancing sediment retention using nonlinear buffers in 37 of 45 AOIs. Spatial reconfiguration, a process of redesigning buffer layout based on ABB results, allowed for increased sediment trapping efficiency while requiring less total area to be taken out of crop production than existing conditions in 15 cases. Despite software limitations, including an outdated platform, ABB offers an approach to nonlinear buffer design that may enhance buffer performance to protect water quality. Updates to the ABB model and increased accessibility are essential for broader adoption.
Citation
​Oelschlager, Patrick T.; Thompson, Aaron W.; Floress, Kristin; Awashra, Ishraq; Barbarash, David; Battista, Jacob; McMillan, Sara. 2025. Modeling nonlinear edge-of-field buffers to enhance sediment trapping efficiency: application of AgBufferBuilder in the Saginaw Bay basin. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 13 p. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224561.2024.2433922.
