Meta-Analysis of Nitrogen Removal in Riparian Buffers

Meta-Analysis of Nitrogen Removal in Riparian Buffers

Riparian buffers, the vegetated region adjacent to streams and wetlands, are thought to be effective at intercepting and reducing nitrogen loads entering water bodies. Riparian buffer width is thought to be positively related to nitrogen removal effectiveness by influencing nitrogen retention or rem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental quality Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 1172 - 1180
Main Authors: Mayer, P.M, Reynolds, S.K. Jr, McCutchen, M.D, Canfield, T.J
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Madison American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society 01-07-2007
American Society of Agronomy
Subjects:
Best management practices
Biogeochemistry
Buffers
Ecosystem
Freshwater
groundwater contamination
Groundwater flow
Hydrology
literature reviews
Litter
Management decisions
Meta-analysis
Nitrates - analysis
nitrogen
Nitrogen - analysis
Nitrogen removal
Nutrient removal
Organic carbon
pollution control
riparian areas
Riparian buffers
riparian forests
Rivers
Saturated soils
Soil types
Streams
Surface water
Vegetation
vegetation types
Water - analysis
Water flow
water pollution
Water Pollution - prevention & control
Water quality
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Summary:Riparian buffers, the vegetated region adjacent to streams and wetlands, are thought to be effective at intercepting and reducing nitrogen loads entering water bodies. Riparian buffer width is thought to be positively related to nitrogen removal effectiveness by influencing nitrogen retention or removal. We surveyed the scientific literature containing data on riparian buffers and nitrogen concentration in streams and groundwater to identify trends between nitrogen removal effectiveness and buffer width, hydrological flow path, and vegetative cover. Nitrogen removal effectiveness varied widely. Wide buffers (>50 m) more consistently removed significant portions of nitrogen entering a riparian zone than narrow buffers (0-25 m). Buffers of various vegetation types were equally effective at removing nitrogen but buffers composed of herbaceous and forest/herbaceous vegetation were more effective when wider. Subsurface removal of nitrogen was efficient, but did not appear to be related to buffer width, while surface removal of nitrogen was partly related to buffer width. The mass of nitrate nitrogen removed per unit length of buffer did not differ by buffer width, flow path, or buffer vegetation type. Our meta-analysis suggests that buffer width is an important consideration in managing nitrogen in watersheds. However, the inconsistent effects of buffer width and vegetation on nitrogen removal suggest that soil type, subsurface hydrology (e.g., soil saturation, groundwater flow paths), and subsurface biogeochemistry (organic carbon supply, nitrate inputs) also are important factors governing nitrogen removal in buffers.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/jeq2006.0462
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ISSN:0047-2425
1537-2537
DOI:10.2134/jeq2006.0462