Challenges in applying scientific evidence to width recommendations for riparian management in agricultural <scp>A</scp>ustralia

Hansen, Birgita D.; Reich, Paul; Cavagnaro, Timothy R.; Lake, Philip Spencer

doi:10.1111/emr.12149

Cited by 20 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…The non-scaled regression coefficients (β; Table 4) point to a 45% contribution of L and 55% of F/A to IWQ values in the studied catchments, when the non-interaction model is used, and an equal contribution (50%) from both variables when the interaction model is adopted. These results are not surprising because many studies so far reported the benefits of forest cover and buffer strip widths to stream water quality, as quoted in the Introduction section [8][9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…The benefits occur because riparian buffer strips favor physical processes, such as infiltration, sediment deposition or adsorption, as well as biochemical mechanisms, such as nutrient uptake or denitrification [5][6][7]. The role of riparian vegetation in the retention of nutrients and sediments has been reviewed in various studies [8][9][10][11][12]. A key parameter of riparian buffers is the width.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies refer minimum thresholds for riparian buffer width [13], while in some countries, such as Brazil or the United States, this width has been legally imposed or recommended [14,15]. However, other studies consider fixed-width recommendations problematic because riparian ecological responses are highly variable [8], and hence, optimal buffer widths are expected to vary from site to site [13]. On the other hand, width is just one among other major factors influencing stream water quality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Regression Model of Stream Water Quality Based on Interactions between Landscape Composition and Riparian Buffer Width in Small Catchments

Pissarra

Valera

Costa

et al. 2019

Water

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Riparian vegetation represents a protective barrier between human activities installed in catchments and capable of generating and exporting large amounts of contaminants, and stream water that is expected to keep quality overtime. This study explored the combined effect of landscape composition and buffer strip width (L) on stream water quality. The landscape composition was assessed by the forest (F) to agriculture (A) ratio (F/A), and the water quality by an index (IWQ) expressed as a function of physico-chemical parameters. The combined effect (F/A × L) was quantified by a multiple regression model with an interaction term. The study was carried out in eight catchments of Uberaba River Basin Environmental Protection Area, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and characterized by very different F/A and L values. The results related to improved water quality (larger IWQ values) with increasing values of F/A and L, which were not surprising given the abundant similar reports widespread in the scientific literature. But the effect of F/A × L on IWQ was enlightening. The interaction between F/A and L reduced the range of L values required to sustain IWQ at a fair level by some 40%, which is remarkable. The interaction was related to the spatial distribution of infiltration capacity within the studied catchments. The high F/A catchments should comprise a larger number of infiltration patches, allowing a dominance of subsurface flow widespread within the soil layer, a condition that improves the probability of soil water to cross and interact with a buffer strip before reaching the stream. Conversely, the low F/A catchments are prone to the generation of an overland flow network, because the absence of permanent vegetation substantially reduces the number of infiltration patches. The overland flow network channelizes runoff and conveys the surface water into specific confluence points within the stream, reducing or even hampering an interaction with a buffer strip. Notwithstanding the interaction, the calculated L ranges (45–175 m) are much larger than the maximum width imposed by the Brazilian Forest Code (30 m), a result that deserves reflection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Regression Model of Stream Water Quality Based on Interactions between Landscape Composition and Riparian Buffer Width in Small Catchments

Pissarra

Valera

Costa

et al. 2019

Water

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“…Under these programs, the state’s many ranchers and dairy producers could be incentivized to establish more riparian buffers on their lands, as a means of diversifying farm income [ 23 ]. We also anticipate that our results could be useful to estimating C storage in other Mediterranean or semi-arid regions with a history of riparian revegetation, such as Australia [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increases in soil and woody biomass carbon stocks as a result of rangeland riparian restoration

Matzek

Lewis

O’Geen

et al. 2020

Carbon Balance Manage

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Background: Globally, vegetation in riparian zones is frequently the target of restoration efforts because of its importance in reducing the input of eroded sediment and agricultural nutrient runoff to surface waters. Here we examine the potential of riparian zone restoration to enhance carbon sequestration. We measured soil and woody biomass carbon stocks, as well as soil carbon properties, in a long-term chronosequence of 42 streambank revegetation projects in northern California rangelands, varying in restoration age from 1 to 45 years old. Results: Where revegetation was successful, we found that soil carbon measured to 50 cm depth increased at a rate of 0.87 Mg C ha −1 year −1 on the floodplain and 1.12 Mg C ha −1 year −1 on the upper bank landform. Restored sites also exhibited trends toward increased soil carbon permanence, including an increased C:N ratio and lower fulvic acid: humic acid ratio. Tree and shrub carbon in restored sites was modeled to achieve a 50-year maximum of 187.5 Mg C ha −1 in the channel, 279.3 Mg ha −1 in the floodplain, and 238.66 Mg ha −1 on the upper bank. After 20 years of restoration, the value of this carbon at current per-ton C prices would amount to $US 15,000 per km of restored stream. Conclusion: We conclude that revegetating rangeland streambanks for erosion control has a substantial additional benefit of mitigating global climate change, and should be considered in carbon accounting and any associated financial compensation mechanisms.

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“…Several studies have been conducted around the world in order to assess external factors to the rivers that act as protectors against runoff water that carries sediments and contaminants, with main focus on riparian forests (Nigel et al 2014;Sweeney and Newbold 2014;Hansen et al 2015). However, the differential of the present study is the integration of three tools in order to make a more completed assessment of the river's hydromorphological conditions, which can be used in various water bodies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating three tools for the environmental assessment of the Pardo River, Brazil

Machado

Alves

Fregonesi

et al. 2015

Environ Monit Assess

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There is a growing need for strategic assessment of environmental conditions in river basins around the world. In spite of the considerable water resources, Brazil has been suffering from water quality decrease in recent years. Pardo River runs through Minas Gerais and São Paulo, two of the most economically important states in Brazil, and is being currently promoted as a future drinking water source. This study aimed at integrating three different tools to conduct a hydromorphological assessment focused on the spatial complexity, connectivity, and dynamism of the Pardo River, Brazil. Twelve sampling stretches were evaluated in four sampling campaigns, in dry and rainy seasons. In each stretch, permanent preservation areas (PPAs), hydromorphological integrity by rapid assessment protocol (RAP), and physicochemical parameters were qualified. The kappa coefficient was used to assess statistical agreement among monitoring tools. The PPA analysis showed that in all stretches, the vegetation was modified. RAP results revealed environmental deterioration in stretches located near human activities and less variability of substrates available for aquatic fauna and sediment deposition as well. Low values for dissolved oxygen in the river mouth were noted in the rainy season. Electrical conductivity was higher in stretches near sugarcane crops. The poor agreement (k<0.35) between the RAP and physicochemical parameters indicates that the tools generate different and complementary information, while they are not replaceable. Potential changes of the hydromorphological characteristics and variations in physicochemical indicators must be related to extensive PPA modification.

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Challenges in applying scientific evidence to width recommendations for riparian management in agricultural Australia

Cited by 20 publications

References 65 publications

A Regression Model of Stream Water Quality Based on Interactions between Landscape Composition and Riparian Buffer Width in Small Catchments

A Regression Model of Stream Water Quality Based on Interactions between Landscape Composition and Riparian Buffer Width in Small Catchments

Increases in soil and woody biomass carbon stocks as a result of rangeland riparian restoration

Integrating three tools for the environmental assessment of the Pardo River, Brazil

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