stream & wetland protection Tools: the Science of buffers
- The Need for Stream Vegetative Buffers: What Does the Science Say?
The Need for Stream Vegetative Buffers:
What Does the Science Say?
Local governments are working to adopt stream protection measures at the city and county level in Montana. As these communities choose to adopt setbacks and vegetative buffers, local officials will consistently be asked to “show the science” behind their regulations.
In order for setback regulations to effectively protect aquatic resources, a vegetated buffer is needed around wetlands and streams. This fact is supported by numerous scientific studies. As an example, scientific studies consistently show that vegetative buffers should be a minimum of 100 feet to protect water quality—no mater the size of the stream:
“In order to protect the water quality of streams, scientific studies generally recommend that at least a 100-foot (30 meter) vegetated buffer be maintained. Steeper slopes and other local factors may require larger vegetated buffers. A minimum of a 50-foot (15-meter) buffer may be sufficient to protect certain aspects of water quality. However, for significant removal of nitrates, sediments, and pathogenic bacteria, at least 100 feet is recommended.” (see below)
In addition to water quality protection, stream vegetated buffers also protect our fisheries, as well as critical wildlife and wildlife habitat. For fisheries protection, at least 100 feet—and many times 300 feet—is recommended. In order to protect wildlife and habitat, vegetated buffers need to expand to at least 300 feet.
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Obtain Copies of Science Publications:
To document the science behind setbacks and vegetated buffers for riparian protection, Montana Audubon completed three reports for the Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality in June 2008. The reports summarize information found in almost 200 scientific studies focused on the functions and size of vegetated buffers.
There are two ways to obtain these reports:
- Download each publication as a pdf, below:
Ellis, J.H. 2008. The Need for Stream Vegetative Buffers: What Does the Science Say?, three reports to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, EPA/DEQ Wetland Development Grant. Montana Audubon, Helena, MT:
Part I: Scientific Recommendations on the Size of Stream Vegetative Buffers Needed to Protect Water Quality. Download this publication >>
Part II: Scientific Recommendations of the Stream
Vegetative Buffer Size Needed to Protect Fish and Aquatic Habitat. Download this publication >>
Part III: Scientific Recommendations on the Size of Stream Vegetative Buffers Needed to Protect Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat. Download this publication >>
- Request a copy be mailed to you. To obtain a FREE copy by mail, send your name, address, and request -- for The Need for Stream Vegetative Buffers: What Does the Science Say? -- to Montana Audubon (email jellis@mtaudubon.org). These publications are also available from the Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality.
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link to references for Science Series Publications
The three parts of The Need for Stream Vegetative Buffers: What Does the Science Say? summarize the recommendations of over 200 scientific studies that tested how various stream vegetated buffers protected water quality, aquatic habitat, and wildlife habitat. The information in these reports was taken from the text and tables of 8 review publications. These 8 review publications, with access links, are:
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