The Role of Riparian Buffers

Densely vegetated land areas that flank both sides of a creek or stream are called "riparian buffers." Also called vegetated buffer zones, healthy riparian buffers are critical tools in water quality protection as they filter soil and nutrients from runoff, provide wildlife habitat and maintain cooler water temperatures in streams. Riparian buffers can also provide shade and water access points for livestock.

An ideal riparian buffer consists of a progression of low-growing plants on the outer edges with increasing height and plant density towards the stream's edge. Outer grass zones of common Arkansas pasture grasses such tall fescue or Bermudagrass can remove up to 80 percent of sediments and nutrients in runoff. These grass filter strips can be periodically grazed without compromising riparian functionality or farm profitability.

In the middle zone, brushy plants provide soil stability and wildlife habitat. This part of the riparian buffer is usually the most disturbed if livestock have unrestricted access and can lead to eroded banks, sediment loss and soil compaction. Compacted soil will retain little rainwater, and accumulated nutrients in this area are likely to reach the stream. But, if livestock will be watered from streams, specific watering points should be installed to protect the most vulnerable parts of a riparian buffer. This can help manage livestock more efficiently as animals will soon return to grazing on the adjacent pastures instead of loafing and lingering in the streams.

In the zone next to the stream, trees play a large role in maintaining bank stability and holding soil in place due to expansive root systems. But, they need to be coupled with understory and vegetative ground cover to slow runoff and filter nutrients and sediment.

The UA Cooperative Extension Service has a series of publications on riparian buffer functions and values, assessment, establishment and livestock management. For more information, visit www.uaex.edu and search "riparian."

KATI TEAGUE, COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE.