March 29, 2024

Improve water quality by establishing riparian buffers

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Strips of permanent vegetation alongside streams, lakes or wetlands can improve water quality.

“The mission of the Savanna Institute is to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the Midwest and part of that are multifunctional riparian buffers,” said Devon Brock-Montgomery, water quality program manager for the Savanna Institute.

“There’s been an interesting shift in the way we talk about these because 20 years ago they were referred to as riparian forest buffers,” said Brock-Montgomery during the Learning Circle for Women Farmland Owners meeting organized by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

“Now we refer to them multifunctional riparian buffers because we want to emphasize that the benefits far extend those that come from forestry,” she explained.

“The most obvious benefit of riparian buffers is the purification of water,” she said. “And the buffers will provide structural support — as the roots go down, they will sequester carbon as they grow and it creates more habitat for a variety of organisms.”

Sediment filtration is another benefit of adding buffers.

“For nitrogen and phosphorus, these buffers can retain and trap up to 50% of all the nutrients running through the water,” Brock-Montgomery said. “If we’re worried about erosion of that site, they can trap up to 75% of the sediment.”

In addition to shade for livestock, riparian buffers can provide shade for aquatic organisms.

“Brook trout are particularly sensitive and need a cold water habitat,” Brock-Montgomery said. “By providing shade, you’re able to support native species.”

There is a great deal of flexibility when developing a riparian buffer.

“A lot of us will find when looking at our farms that there are lower points with water resources that this could potentially help protect,” Brock-Montgomery said.

Landowners may choose to plant harvestable crops of forage, fruit, fiber or wood.

“You can plant trees that provide food for your family or for market,” Brock-Montgomery said.

“This is all very fluid — where to place it and how long and wide it will be,” she said. “There are tools available to estimate these things and the Savanna Institute has technical service providers in Illinois to help.”

Some farmers allow their livestock to graze part or all of the buffers, Brock-Montgomery said, and a lot of farmers mow buffers.

“The USDA has funding to create, design and implement multifunctional riparian buffers,” Brock-Montgomery said.

“Riparian buffers are a wonderful thing to consider adding to your site,” she said. “You know your land and this can be added to complement that knowledge that already exists.”

Martha Blum

Martha Blum

Field Editor