Streamside Forests: Riparian Forest Buffers

What are Riparian Forest Buffers preparation, purchasing trees, and and why are they important? with the cost of maintenance of their buffers as they begin to grow. R iparian forest buffers are made up of the trees, shrubs and grasses planted along waterways that help RRestoringestoring StreamsideBuffers Forests

protect water quality. These Riparian forest buffer restoration streamside forests act as filters that begins with site identification – help stop pollutants and sediment where are the deforested streams? from reaching our waterways. Where are existing riparian forest P ollutants come in many forms, buffers that could be improved? including excess nutrients, fertilizers, DCNR is working with partners and chemicals that run off streets, across the State to identify places lawns, and farm fields. Streamside where buffers could be most forests slow down surface runoff and effective in helping to restore stream allow rainfall to infiltrate and health and function. Using mapping recharge critical groundwater technology as well as on-site resources, filtering out any pollutants inspection, buffer planners consider and reducing flooding. Riparian conditions like existing tree cover, buffers also help stabilize slope of the stream bank, the streambanks; erosion is reduced makeup of the surrounding when flooding is reduced, and landscape, and soil types. Assessing streambanks are further stabilized by these characteristics ensures the the root systems of riparian forest selection of plants best suited for the buffers. site and that will be most effective in filtering pollutants. A variety of wildlife species benefit from food, shelter, and important When designing a buffer, it is best to Credit: USGS travel corridors provided by healthy strategically place trees and shrubs streamside forests. Riparian buffers to allow for maximization of their also cool water temperatures, protective functions. Trees and increase oxygen, and provide habitat shrubs with large fibrous root and food for fish and other aquatic systems are usually planted closer to life. the bank to provide stability.

Maintaining and restoring Increasing the width of streamside streamside forests is a key strategy forests, or the area from the for improving water quality and streambank that the buffer planting aquatic habitat in Pennsylvania. extends upland, generally improves its potential to filter pollutants, and Pennsylvania’s Buffer Initiative its utility for crops or wildlife Pennsylvania is working hard to habitat. However, planners can plant 95,000 acres of new riparian work with landowners to make sure forest buffers by 2025. Reaching this their streamside forest is designed goal will improve water quality in and planted to both meet the needs the Commonwealth and the of the landowner and function Chesapeake Bay. Achieving this goal properly to improve water quality. requires the help and cooperation of landowners and communities. There Programs are available to assist Credit: Stroud Water Research Center are several cost-share and grant landowners in planting buffers that programs in place for restoring produce a crop for personal or riparian forest buffers to help commercial use. Crops that are landowners, municipalities, and appropriate for growing and other organizations with planting site harvesting in riparian areas include

chokeberries, serviceberries, Occasionally, replanting trees and elderberries and decorative woody shrubs that did not survive may be species, like curly or pussy willows necessary. and red-osier dogwood. Good buffer maintenance in the early Contact your local DCNR Service stages of establishment helps reduce Forester for help with planning the the maintenance needs of streamside restoration of a forest buffer. forests once they mature. Some helpful guidelines for buffer

Buffer Maintenance maintenance can be found in the Landowner Guide to Buffer Success and A riparian forest buffer requires Riparian Forest Buffer Design and consistent maintenance during the Credit: Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay first three to five years of Maintenance , available online. establishment to ensure long-term How You Can Help success. Regular maintenance helps

deter threats including damage from If you own streamside land, plant a deer and other wildlife, invasion by riparian buffer! Contact your local Resources exotic species, weeds, and human DCNR Service Forester for disturbance. Maintenance activities information on grants and cost-share For more information, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry should be performed regularly. programs that might be available to Frequent watering may be required you. Volunteering with community Select “Your Woods,” then “Stream during the first year after planting. and conservation organizations that Buffers” Tree shelters should be used to are working to establish and maintain protect newly established trees and buffers is also an excellent way to get If you want to contact someone for shrubs. Weed control is critical to involved. Ask your Service Forester or help or information, choose “Service successful buffer establishment. County Conservation District about Foresters”

Weeds and other vegetation will not projects in your area. Share the only compete with seedlings for benefits of streamside forests with your Landowner Guide to Buffer water and nutrients, but also can neighbors, family, and friends. Success harbor rodents and other pests that This helpful publication takes you damage seedlings, reducing survival Pennsylvanians like you can make a through the key steps to planting and and growth. Weed control can be difference in improving water quality maintaining a buffer through the year. accomplished mechanically, by through restoring streamside forests An online version is available at the mowing or hand weeding, or using across the landscape, ensuring future link below. herbicides or weed mats. generations have plenty of clean water. www.cbf.org/document.doc?id=257

More Information

For more information on A strip of land planted Extends out 35 feet or From the edge of zone 2, Riparian Forest Buffers or with native riparian forest more from the edge of this area is an area of active Agroforestry, contact: species that stretches 15 zone 1, and is planted harvest. Often, woody feet for more from the with edible or marketable decorative plants and

trees and shrubs. perennials are grown here. DCNR Bureau of Forestry water’s edge.

Phone: (717) 787-2703 Characteristic tree and shrub species for each zone Email: [email protected] Black Willow Black Walnut Witch Hazel

American Sycamore Downy Service Berry Eastern Redbud Red Maple Shagbark Hickory Sugar Maple River Birch Blackberry Wild Hydrangea Buttonbush American Hazelnut Milkweed