HR: 0800h
AN: H31F-0728    [Abstracts]
TI: An approach for strategic, targeted prioritization of streamside restoration
AU: * Baker, M
EM: matt.baker@usu.edu
AF: Utah State University, 5210 Old Main Hill, logan, UT 84322-5210, United States
AU: Weller, D
EM: wellerd@si.edu
AF: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, PO Box 28 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028, United States
AU: Jordan, T
EM: jordanth@si.edu
AF: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, PO Box 28 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028, United States
AB: Recent research has highlighted tremendous expenditures associated with streamside restoration projects aimed at improving water quality. Many of these projects involve the restoration of vegetated riparian zones as filters for the retention or transformation of nutrients from upslope non-point sources, despite variable results along field-to-stream transects in the published literature. Further, despite widespread local field studies, few investigations have documented effective filtering across whole watersheds. We employ recently developed methods for quantifying distributional patterns of riparian buffers to test for evidence of significant buffer effects across 200 watersheds in Coastal Plain and Piedmont of the Chesapeake Bay drainage. In each physiographic region, cropland proportions adjusted to reflect patterns of riparian buffers substantially improved predictions of nitrate discharge after controlling for other potential nutrient sources. We provide evidence of buffer effects on nutrient discharge under a variety of physiographic and land-use contexts and discuss confounding factors that may have limited past efforts. We also show how relatively simple analyses can be used to aid strategic restoration planning and in developing realistic expectations both within and among watersheds despite tremendous uncertainty in both buffer performance and restoration success.
DE: 0481 Restoration
DE: 0483 Riparian systems (0744, 1856)
DE: 1871 Surface water quality
DE: 1879 Watershed
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting