Applying the “Goldilocks Rule” to Riparian Buffer Widths for Forested Headwater Streams across the Contiguous U.S.—How Much Is “Just Right”?
Delineating riparian management zones (RMZ) around streams to protect riparian ecological functions is critical during forest management. This study compared the area dedicated to RMZ using the USFS functional-based riparian buffer approach versus individual state-defined riparian buffer allocation...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/9/1509 |
| _version_ | 1797488274623692800 |
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| author | Maneesha T. Jayasuriya René H. Germain John C. Stella |
| author_facet | Maneesha T. Jayasuriya René H. Germain John C. Stella |
| author_sort | Maneesha T. Jayasuriya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Delineating riparian management zones (RMZ) around streams to protect riparian ecological functions is critical during forest management. This study compared the area dedicated to RMZ using the USFS functional-based riparian buffer approach versus individual state-defined riparian buffer allocation strategies along headwater streams across 17 states within the US. The USFS method uses a variable-width riparian buffer that seeks to capture the functions of a riparian area. Our study sought to contrast this USFS method with various state-defined RMZ guidelines. The functional approach delineated the highest percentages of the watershed area around headwater streams in most watersheds, sometimes >20% of forestland, whereas state RMZ guidelines delineated <10% of forestland around headwater streams in many watersheds. Although many state guidelines failed to identify the variable widths of functional riparian areas, some watersheds in the Great Lakes states over-allocated forestland as riparian when compared to a functional riparian delineation. The topographic and forest composition differences observed across the study area were not represented by their respective state RMZ guidelines, and these variables strongly influence the delineation of a functional RMZ. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:59:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d13a85578cf24c4b80b69c6b69c0c463 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:59:45Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-d13a85578cf24c4b80b69c6b69c0c4632023-11-23T16:18:41ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072022-09-01139150910.3390/f13091509Applying the “Goldilocks Rule” to Riparian Buffer Widths for Forested Headwater Streams across the Contiguous U.S.—How Much Is “Just Right”?Maneesha T. Jayasuriya0René H. Germain1John C. Stella2Department of Sustainable Resources Management, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USADepartment of Sustainable Resources Management, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USADepartment of Sustainable Resources Management, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USADelineating riparian management zones (RMZ) around streams to protect riparian ecological functions is critical during forest management. This study compared the area dedicated to RMZ using the USFS functional-based riparian buffer approach versus individual state-defined riparian buffer allocation strategies along headwater streams across 17 states within the US. The USFS method uses a variable-width riparian buffer that seeks to capture the functions of a riparian area. Our study sought to contrast this USFS method with various state-defined RMZ guidelines. The functional approach delineated the highest percentages of the watershed area around headwater streams in most watersheds, sometimes >20% of forestland, whereas state RMZ guidelines delineated <10% of forestland around headwater streams in many watersheds. Although many state guidelines failed to identify the variable widths of functional riparian areas, some watersheds in the Great Lakes states over-allocated forestland as riparian when compared to a functional riparian delineation. The topographic and forest composition differences observed across the study area were not represented by their respective state RMZ guidelines, and these variables strongly influence the delineation of a functional RMZ.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/9/1509functional riparian areavariable width riparian bufferdrainage densityriparian management zonebest management practices |
| spellingShingle | Maneesha T. Jayasuriya René H. Germain John C. Stella Applying the “Goldilocks Rule” to Riparian Buffer Widths for Forested Headwater Streams across the Contiguous U.S.—How Much Is “Just Right”? Forests functional riparian area variable width riparian buffer drainage density riparian management zone best management practices |
| title | Applying the “Goldilocks Rule” to Riparian Buffer Widths for Forested Headwater Streams across the Contiguous U.S.—How Much Is “Just Right”? |
| title_full | Applying the “Goldilocks Rule” to Riparian Buffer Widths for Forested Headwater Streams across the Contiguous U.S.—How Much Is “Just Right”? |
| title_fullStr | Applying the “Goldilocks Rule” to Riparian Buffer Widths for Forested Headwater Streams across the Contiguous U.S.—How Much Is “Just Right”? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Applying the “Goldilocks Rule” to Riparian Buffer Widths for Forested Headwater Streams across the Contiguous U.S.—How Much Is “Just Right”? |
| title_short | Applying the “Goldilocks Rule” to Riparian Buffer Widths for Forested Headwater Streams across the Contiguous U.S.—How Much Is “Just Right”? |
| title_sort | applying the goldilocks rule to riparian buffer widths for forested headwater streams across the contiguous u s how much is just right |
| topic | functional riparian area variable width riparian buffer drainage density riparian management zone best management practices |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/9/1509 |
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