EPA-903-F-95-001
FACT SHEET
Riparian Forest Buffers
in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

When colonists first
arrived on the shores of
the Chesapeake Bay,
over 95 % of the
landscape was forested. Captain John Smith
wrote in 1608, "the country is overgrown with
trees...and affords little grass but that which
grows in the marshes". This vast forest was an
important regulator of the Bay's environment - a
"living filter" which protected the land, filtered
pollutants and sediment from rainfall, regulated
stream and air temperatures, controlled runoff
and provided wildlife habitat.
The last 300 years have brought dramatic
changes to the Bay's
forests. By the mid-
1800's, agricultural
clearing, deforestation and
the growth of cities
resulted in the removal of
more than 50% of the
watershed's forests.		
These changes in land use
resulted in a fragmented forest landscape that
••• -'What Is a riparian area?
Riparian refers to the area of land
adjacent to a body of water, stream,
river, marsh or shoreline. Riparian
areas form the transition between the
aquatic and the terrestrial environment.
impacted the Bay, its streams and rivers, as well
as its wildlife and fish. While many forests have
returned or have been replanted, less than 60%
of our original forested areas remain. With 14
million people living in the Bay's watershed,
urban growth now results in the permanent loss
of almost 100 acres of forests every day.
Linking the landscape to the Bay, close to
100,000 miles of interconnected streams, rivers,
wetlands and their riparian areas serve as a
"circulatory system" for the Chesapeake Bay. In
the Bay region, forests are the natural riparian
vegetation. Although comprising only 5-10% of
the land in the watershed, riparian areas have an
extremely important role in
maintaining the health of
the Bay. But today, 50%
or more of these stream side
and shoreline forests are
disturbed or degraded and
more continue to be lost
Protecting and replanting
riparian forests is one of
the goals of the Bay restoration effort.

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hhh^h Riparian forests are
Functions and Values I inteSral t0 the health
of the Bay and its
rivers for many
reasons. Their position in the landscape makes them excellent
buffers between upland areas and waters that eventually enter
the Bay. Studies have shown dramatic reductions of 30% to
98% in nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous), sediment,
pesticides and other pollutants in surface and ground water
after passing through a riparian forest. In addition, trees
provide deep root systems which hold soil in place, thereby
stabilizing streambanks and reducing erosion
Cool stream temperatures maintained by riparian vegetation are
essential to the health of aquatic species. Shading moderates
water temperatures and protects against rapid fluctuations that
can harm stream health and reduce fish spawning and survival.
Elevated water temperatures also accelerate algae^ growth and
reduce dissolved oxygen, further degrading water quality. In
a small stream, temperatures may rise 1.5 degrees in just 100
feet of exposure without trees.
Riparian forests offer a tremendous diversity of habitat.
Layers of habitat provided by trees, shrubs, grasses and the
transition of habitats from aquatic to upland makes these areas
critical in the life stages of over one-half of all native Bay
species. Forest corridors provide crucial migratory habitat for
neotropical songbirds, some of which are threatened due to loss
of habitat. Also, many ecologically important species such as
herons, wood ducks, black ducks, as well as amphibians,
turtles, foxes and eagles utilize the riparian forest.
Riparian forests also offer many benefits to migratory fish
Forested streams and rivers provide suitable spawning habitat for
shad, herring, alewife, perch and striped bass The decline of
these species is partly due to destruction of habitat, which for
some, like shad and herring, extends well into small streams.
Trees and woody debris provide valuable cover for crabs, small
fish and other aquatic organisms along the Bay's shoreline, as
well Degradation of any portion of a stream can have profound
effects on living resources downstream While the overall impact
of these riparian forest corridors may be greatest in headwater
streams, there is a clear linkage all the way to the Bay
The Benefits of
Riparian Forests
1.	Filtering Runoff
Rain that runs off the land can be
slowed and filtered in the forest -
settling out sediment, nutrients and
pesticides before they reach streams.
Infiltration rates 10-15 times higher
than grass turf and 40 times higher
than a plowed Held are common.
2.	Nutrient Uptake
Fertilizers and other pollutants that
originate on the land are taken up by
tree roots. Nutrients are stored in
leaves, limbs and roots instead of
reaching the stream. Through a
process called "denitrification",
bacteria in the forest floor convert
harmful nitrate to nitrogen gas,
which is released into the air.
3.	Canopy and Shade
The leaf canopy provides shade that
keeps the water cool, retains more
dissolved oxygen and encourages the
growth of diatoms, nutritious algae
and aquatic insects. Hie canopy
improves air quality by filtering dust
from wind erosion, construction or
farm machinery.
4.	Leaf Food
Leaves fall into a stream and are
trapped on woody debris (fallen trees
and limbs) and rocks where they
provide food and habitat for small
bottom dwelling creatures (such as,
insects, amphibians, crustaceans and
small fish) which are critical to the
aquatic food chain.
5.	Stream and Habitat
Streams that travel through
woodlands provide more habitat for
fish and wildlife. Woody debris
serves as cover for fish while
stabilizing stream bottoms thereby
preserving habitat over time.

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The Forest Buffer Concept
-The concept behind a riparian buffer is to put
the natural benefits and functions of riparian
areas to work in nonpoint pollution control.
When considering the range of benefits and
potential effectiveness, forests are the most
"effective type of riparian buffer available.
These linear strips of forest can serve as the last
line of defense from the activities we undertake
in managing the land, such as agriculture,
grazing and urban development. Unlike most
best management practices, the high value of
forests to wildlife and fish, helps buffers
accomplish habitat benefits at the same time
they improve water quality. —:* •—
A three-zone buffer concept is proposed to
assist technical professionals and landowners
with planning and design of riparian forest
buffers. It provides a framework in which
water quality, habitat, and landowner objectives
can all be accomplished.
ZONE 1 - A mature forest along the water's
edge maintains habitat, food, water temperature
and helps stabilize stream banks and remove
nutrients.
Definition of a Riparian Forest Buffer:
According to the U.S. Forest Service,
a riparian forest buffer is an area of trees
and other vegetation which cant intercept
surface runoff, subsurface flow and deeper
ground water flows for the purpose of
removing or buffering the effects of
nutrients, pesticides or other chemicals
from upland land use, which could
otherwise enter bodies of water.
ZONE 2 - This zone contains a managed
forest. The primary function of Zone 2 is to
remove sediment, nutrients and other pollutants
from surface and ground water. It also
provides habitat and allows for economic
benefits to the landowner from the forest
resource.
ZONE 3 - Zone 3 contains grass filter strips,
level spreaders or other features which can slow
runoff, infiltrate water and help filter sediment
and its associated chemicals.

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I Many state and federal agencies have initiated
programs to help protect and restore riparian
forest buffers. USDA Programs such as the
Conservation Reserve Program, Wetland
Reserve Program, Forest Stewardship Program, as well as numerous agricultural conservation
practices are designed to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners who want to
protect or restore this resource. In developed areas, zoning, land use and stormwater provisions
may provide opportunities for greater use of riparian forest buffers. Volunteer assistance with
design and planting can be obtained. In some states, easements and tax incentives may be used
to protect and restore buffers on private land. A Buffer Incentive Program in Maryland makes
a per acre payment to landowners. Call your local forestry, soil conservation, farm service or
local planning office for more information about programs that are available in your area.
Chesapeake Bay Program Riparian Buffer Initiatives
The Chesapeake Bay Program has initiated a number of actions to promote better understanding
and appreciation for the value of riparian forests and to encourage their protection and restoration.
Building a scientific foundation, the Bay Program published a scientific synthesis which defines
the water quality function of buffers in the watershed. The Nutrient Subcommittee and its
Forestry Work Group have also initiated research and established demonstration projects. In
addition, an inventory of the status and condition of riparian buffers throughout the six state
watershed is underway. In partnership with each of the states, the Bay Program is developing a
handbook for the design and establishment and the initiation of training programs for technical
specialists, landowners and mangers and local governments. Protecting buffers and stream
corridors where they exist and planting in disturbed riparian areas are significant elements of a
Bay wide strategy to reduce nutrients - the Tributary Strategies.
In October 1994, the Executive Council of the Chesapeake Bay Program signed a Riparian Forest
Buffer Directive, which recognized the need for greater riparian forest buffer protection and
restoration. With the help of citizens, landowners and other stakeholders, an expert panel of
scientists and managers will set future goals and develop a basinwide policy to enhance existing
programs which protect, maintain and restore riparian forest buffers. Combined with habitat
restoration strategies, this multi-faceted program will help improve riparian management and the
health of our streams and rivers and the Chesapeake Bay itself.
For more information contact:
The Chesapeake Bay Program
410 Severn Ave, Suite 109
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 267-5700
1-(800) YOUR-BAY

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