Riparian Forest Buffers

	United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry Forest Resources Management Radnor, PA NA-PR-07-91
			RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFERS
			Function and Design for Protection and Enhancement of Water Resources Prepared by David J. Welsch

Table of Contents

Streamside forests are complex ecosystems vital to the protection of our streams and rivers
The removal of streamside forests has adversely affected the vitality of our water resources
Continued Strengthening of the Clean Water Act Reflects the Public's Concern for Clean Water
—	Excess Nitrogen and Phosphorous Spur Algal Growth, Deplete Oxygen and Kill Fish
Streamside Forests Remove Pollutants in Several Ways
—	Excess Nitrogen in Drinking Water is Detrimental to Children and Livestock
The Streamside Forest Removes Sediment and Sediment-Attached Phosphorus by Filtration
The Streamside Forest Transforms Nitrate to Nitrogen Gas
—	Nature Provides Safe Storage for Nutrients in Biological Cycles
—	Technological Improvements Have Reduced the Impact of Pesticides on the Aquatic Environment
The Streamside Forest Buffer
The Streamside Forest Acts as a Sink by Storing Nutrients for Extended Periods of Time
The Streamside Forest Provides a Source of Energy for Aquatic Life
Insects, the Favorite Food of Trout, are Abundant in Stream Reaches Cooled by Streamside Forests...
..Streamside Forests Control Habitat-Damaging Sediments and Provide Organic Energy to Downstream Reaches
Establishment Guidelines
References, Specification/Riparian Forest Buffer