Multifunctional Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways
| Authors: | Gary Bentrup, X. Shi |
| Year: | 2025 |
| Type: | General Technical Report |
| Station: | Washington Office |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/WO-GTR-108 |
Abstract
Over 80 illustrated design guidelines for multifunctional buffers are synthesized and developed from a review of more than 1,900 research publications. Each guideline describes a specific way that a vegetative buffer can be applied to protect soil, improve air and water quality, support fish and wildlife habitat, augment crop and livestock production, enhance the human environment, or provide recreation opportunities. Vegetated buffers may include those designed as an agroforestry system or those implemented outside of an agricultural setting. These science-based guidelines are presented as easy-to-understand rules of thumb for facilitating the planning and designing of multifunctional buffers in rural and urban landscapes. The online version of the guide includes the reference publication list.
References for Multifunctional Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways: https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/publications/gtr/gtr-wo-108-multifunctional-buffers-references.pdf