USDA Forest Service
 

North Central Research Station

 

North Central Research Station
1992 Folwell Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

(651) 649-5000

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Publication Details

Note: In October 2006, the North Central Research Station and the Northeastern Research Station joined to form the Northern Research Station. New publications are being added to the Northern Research Station Publications & Data site.

This publication is also available at: http://nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/955

Title: Riparian Forest Buffers - Function for Protection and Enhancement of Water Resources

Author: Welsch, David J.

Year: 1991

Publication: NA-PR-07-91. [Broomall, PA:] U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Area State & Private Forestry

Abstract: Streamside forests are crucial to the protection and enhancement of the water resources of the Eastern United States. They are extremely complex ecosystems that help provide optimum food and habitat for stream communities as well as being useful in mitigating or controlling nonpoint source pollution (NPS). Used as a component of an integrated management system including nutrient management and sediment and erosion control practices, streamside forests can produce a number of beneficial effects on the quality of water resources. Streamside forests can be effective in removing excess nutrients and sediment from surface runoff and shallow groundwater and in shading streams to optimize light and temperature conditions for aquatic plants and animals. Streamside forests also ameliorate the effects of some pesticides, and directly provide dissolved and particulate organic food needed to maintain high biological productivity and diversity in the adjoining stream.

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USDA Forest Service - North Central Research Station
Last Modified: March 31, 2006


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