Riparian Forest Buffers
A riparian forest buffer is the agroforestry and sustainable land use process of carefully and intentionally planning the plantings of trees, grasses, shrubs, and bioengineered structures next to, or even in, streams to lower the impact on the water by land use. By linking aquatic and terrestrial environments, ecological functions are connected to a larger network of agriculture and urban landscapes. Through establishment and maintenance of trees, grass, and shrubs in the areas around creeks and streams, the quality of the water can be enhanced. The plants designed for use in the riparian forest buffer must be planned effectively to adapt to the topography of the land as well as the soil and flood potential of the area.
When planning a riparian forest buffer system it is vital to consider and understand the benefits of the riparian buffer as well as understand the intensive management required to make it successful. There are marketable opportunities as well as ecological benefits as harvesting of the buffer components is an option. Erosion of the creek bank is another benefit, and the supply of food and cover for the wildlife (both aquatic and terrestrial) habitat is also increased. The disadvantages of riparian forest buffer systems are slight as the only potential downside is the extra time in management it might take to make it successful.
A riparian buffer zone is normally made up of three zones of management. In the first zone, Zone 1, it is established closest to the water and can include a mixture of native shrubbery and trees that can handle a floodplain life. Stabilizing the bank of the water body is the main goal of Zone 1 and it provides debris from the plants for aquatic life. Zone 2 is a wider area of land next to Zone 1 and normally is where trees and shrubs that will grow quickly are planted. Of course, these trees and shrubs must also be tolerant of flood conditions. The trees grown in this zone can be used for additional income when planting include nut trees and shrubs that produce berries. Zone 3 is located next to the crop or grazing land and is established to provide benefit to the land by planting grasses and wildflowers native to the area.
Planning a riparian forest buffer requires thoughtful consideration of your goals in comparison to the environmental impact. Sketching out the zones and evaluating each plants contribution to the overall scheme is the first step in creating a successful riparian forest buffer that will enhance the local ecosystem as much as your economic yield. Make sure your Zone 2 is large enough, as a 30 ft. wide strip of four or five rows of trees is optimal. Next to that should be at least a 12 ft. wide strip of shrubs that leads to at least a 20 ft. wide strip of Zone 3 native grass and wildflower plantings. Planting a careful combination of all of those elements will allow for the optimal benefit for the entire riparian forest barrier system as a sustainable land use method.