A riparian buffer is a vegetated area (a "buffer strip") near a stream, usually forested, which helps shade and partially protect a stream from the impact of adjacent land uses. It plays a key role in increasing water quality in associated streams, rivers, and lakes, thus providing environmental benefits. With the decline of many aquatic ecosystems due to agricultural production, riparian buffers have become a very common conservation practice aimed at increasing water quality and reducing pollution.
Read more about Riparian Buffer: Benefits, Buffer Design, Species Selection (example Using Both Native Nebraska and Introduced Species), Managing Forests in Riparian Area, Conservation Incentives, Effectiveness, Long-term Sustainability, See Also