EVALUATION OF COASTAL PLAIN CONSERVATION BUFFERS USING THE RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT MODEL1

ABSTRACT: Riparian buffers are increasingly important as watershed management tools and are cost‐shared by programs such as Conservation Reserve that are part of the USDA Conservation Buffer Initiative. Riparian buffers as narrow as 4.6m (15ft) are eligible for cost‐share by USDA. The Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM) provides a tool to judge water quality improvement by buffers and to set design criteria for nutrient and sediment load reduction. REMM was used for a Coastal Plain site to simulate 14 different buffers ranging from 4.6 m to 51.8 m (15 to 170 ft) with three different types of vegetation (hardwood trees, pine trees, and perennial grass) with two water and nutrient loads. The load cases were low sediment/low nutrient‐typical of a well managed agricultural field and low sediment/high nutrient‐typical of liquid manure application to perennial forage crops. Simulations showed that the minimum width buffer (4.6 m) was inadequate for control of nutrients under either load case. The minimum width buffer that is eligible for cost share assistance on a field with known water quality problems (10.7 m, 35 ft) was projected to achieve at least 50 percent reduction of N, P, and sediment in the load cases simulated.     

Spatial variations in the N2O emissions and denitrification potential of riparian buffer strips in a contaminated urban river

Spatial variations in the N₂O emissions and denitrification potential of riparian buffer strips (RBS) in a polluted river were examined. The river received large pollutant inputs from urban runoff and wastewater discharge, resulting in impaired water quality in the river and downstream reservoir. The potential for nitrogen removal by RBS was evaluated by measuring in situ N₂O emission fluxes in static closed chambers and sediment denitrification potentials with acetylene inhibition techniques. The results showed that N₂O emission fluxes decreased from the upstream (16.39 μg/(m²·h)) to downstream (0.30 μg/(m²·h)) sites and from the water body to upland sites. The trend in decreasing N₂O emission fluxes in the downstream direction was mainly associated with sediment/soil textures (clay loam→sandy soil) and sediment/soil water contents and was also related to the vegetation along the RBS and nutrients in the sediments/soils. The correlation coefficient was highest (r=0.769) between the N₂O emission flux and sediment/soil water content. Sediment/soil denitrification potentials under N-amended and ambient conditions were higher (highest 32.86 mg/(kg·h)) for the upstream sites, which were consistent with in situ N₂O flux rates.     

Field-Based Evaluation Tool for Riparian Buffer Zones in Agricultural Catchments

Riparian buffer zones can improve water quality and enhance habitat, but a comprehensive yet rapid method that can assist the resource manager in assessing the effectiveness of buffers is not available. The aim of this paper is to describe and illustrate the use of a newly developed field-based evaluation tool for riparian buffer zones in agricultural catchments. The Buffer Zone Inventory and Evaluation Form (BZIEF) incorporates criteria-based scoring systems developed from literature review, subsequent peer-review, and then a pilot field study. Use of the BZIEF is demonstrated by comparing buffer zones in three catchments established for water quality and habitat improvement under the Water Fringe Option agrienvironment scheme in England in order to assess whether the buffers were likely to provide environmental enhancement. Results among the three catchments were generally similar; buffer zones scored highly for their abundant vegetation cover, lack of erosion, stream habitat quality, and sufficient width. Furthermore, previous grassland or arable land use did not substantially affect buffer zone ratings. However, the BZIEF indicated that inappropriate soil characteristics in one catchment were likely to constrain buffer zone effectiveness for improving water quality. In another catchment, poor riparian vegetation diversity and structure may yield ineffective habitat enhancement, according to the BZIEF. It was concluded that the BZIEF might be a useful tool for buffer zone comparison and monitoring, even though more work is needed to test and validate the method. For example, the BZIEF could be used to target appropriate locations for buffer zones and is flexible, so could be adapted for different policies, objectives and regions.     

寒冷地区滨岸缓冲带植物筛选

为在寒冷地区建立高效的滨岸缓冲带水体工程,选择早熟禾、高羊茅、3种本地耐寒性植物,研究剪股颖构建河流滨岸缓冲带植物的经济性、生长特性、光合作用及其对悬浮物、氮、磷的净化能力。结果表明,3种植物在经济性方面高羊茅与早熟禾差别不大,远低于剪股颖;在生长特性方面,早熟禾与高羊茅的表现相近,高羊茅略好,但比剪股颖表现优秀,早熟禾在净光合作用速率、蒸腾速率以及水分利用效率方面比高羊茅及剪股颖出色;在面源污染物去除率方面,地表径流悬浮物的去除中,早熟禾表现突出;在溶解性磷与总氮的净化中,3种植物表现差异不大,早熟禾略有优势。综合比较各项指标,早熟禾可作为寒冷地区构建滨岸缓冲带较为理想的备选植物。     

污染负荷及植被生物量变化对缓冲带污染物净化效果的影响

模拟上海地区农业面源污染和降雨特征,进行缓冲带污染物净化效果和植被生物量监测试验研究。结果表明：植被缓冲带对径流污染物质的净化效果明显高于空白对照,百慕大缓冲带SS截留率最高,达到74％;白花三叶草对TN、TP的净化效果最好,去除率分别为28％和25％;百慕大和白花三叶草生物量最大,栽种当年9月份,两者地上部分的生物量鲜重分别达到了6.14和6.49 kg/m²,百慕大生长速度最快,当年9月份生物量几乎达到5月份的6倍;植被生物量增长明显提高了缓冲带截留径流污染物的效果,缓冲带SS截留率与生物量成显著线性相关,而污染负荷变化对缓冲带污染物净化效果的影响很小,明显弱于植被种类和生物量的变化。     

抚仙湖缓冲带污染负荷分析及治理方案

对云南高原湖泊抚仙湖及其缓冲带进行了概述,对缓冲带内污染负荷的产生量、排放量、入湖量进行了计算、分析,总结了主要环境问题,并提出治理方案。结果表明:农村生活污水和农田面源成为缓冲带内主要污染源,污染物入湖量COD为578.89t/a、TN为120.61t/a、TP为13.04t/a、NH3-N为43.64t/a。在缓冲带村落污染得到有效控制的基础上,进行自然修复为主、人工为辅的自然缓冲带生态建设,实施环湖低污染水净化工程建设,强调污染截蓄、水质净化等方面的环境效益的最大体现,并提出当地旅游在限制中有序开发的管理方案。