Using riparian Zone scaling to optimize buffer placement and effectiveness

Keith E. Schilling; Peter J. Jacobson; Calvin F. Wolter

doi:10.1007/s10980-017-0589-5

Back

Using riparian Zone scaling to optimize buffer placement and effectiveness

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Using riparian Zone scaling to optimize buffer placement and effectiveness

Keith E. Schilling, Peter J. Jacobson and Calvin F. Wolter

Landscape ecology, Vol.33(1), pp.141-156

2018

DOI: 10.1007/s10980-017-0589-5

View Online

Abstract

Context Riparian buffers reduce subsurface nutrient losses to streams but there is a clear need to identify and prioritize locations for riparian buffer placement to optimize buffer performance. Scaling relations can be used to extrapolate hydrologic behavior within river networks and across catchments. Objectives We combined field and laboratory measurements of soils and groundwater quality collected at five riparian monitoring sites of different stream-order scales with landscape analysis to accomplish the following objectives: (1) evaluate the degree to which riparian zone patterns and processes are scaled in a pre-Wisconsin glacial landscape; and (2) use the scaling information to identify optimal placement of riparian buffers in the landform region for nutrient reduction benefits. Results Results indicated that there is proportional scaling of riparian zones within the region in terms of sediment texture, groundwater geochemistry and, to a lesser extent, in groundwater nutrient concentrations. Conclusions Placement of riparian buffers should be a priority along low order streams (< 3rd order) to best utilize the scaling characteristics of regional riparian zones, although buffering 2nd and 3rd streams may be the most cost effective locations.

Biomedical and Life Sciences

Ecology

Environmental Management

Landscape Ecology

Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning

Life Sciences

Nature Conservation

Research Article

Sustainable Development

Details

Title: Subtitle: Using riparian Zone scaling to optimize buffer placement and effectiveness
Creators: Keith E. Schilling - United States Geological Survey
Peter J. Jacobson - Grinnell College
Calvin F. Wolter - Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Landscape ecology, Vol.33(1), pp.141-156
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
DOI: 10.1007/s10980-017-0589-5
ISSN: 0921-2973
eISSN: 1572-9761
Language: English
Date published: 2018
Academic Unit: Earth and Environmental Sciences; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering
Record Identifier: 9984383915702771

Metrics

5 Record Views

15 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details