MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON RUNOFF AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFERS

Abstract

The effectiveness of mature riparian forests in reducing the impact of agriculture on the quality of the nationswater resources has been documented, but the impact of forest management practices implemented within riparian forestbuffers on their water quality function has not been evaluated. This article examines the effect of forest managementwithin a Coastal Plain riparian forest buffer system (RFBS) on runoff and sediment transport over a four year period. TheRFBS, which conformed to USDA-FS and USDA-NRCS best management recommendations, included a narrow strip ofundisturbed forest located adjacent to the stream drainage system (Zone 1), a wide managed pine forest downslope fromthe grass filter (Zone 2), and a narrow grass filter strip immediately downslope from an agricultural field (Zone 3). Forestmanagement treatments evaluated within Zone 2 were mature forest, clear-cut, and selectively-thinned. Significantreductions in runoff and sediment transport were measured under all three forest management treatments. The primaryzone of runoff and sediment reduction was within the grass filter portion of the RFBS. These results indicate that riparianforests within a RFBS may be managed for economic return to the land owner without adversely affecting the runoff andsediment reduction function performed by these buffer systems.