Submitted to: Brazilian Soil Science Congress
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 2, 2001
Publication Date: November 2, 2001
Citation: Lowrance, R.R. 2001. Agriculture pollution by riparian ecosystems. Brazilian Soil Science Congress XXVIII. Abstract Technical Abstract: Riparian ecosystems can control the quality and quantity of water in streams. Naturally occurring riparian forest buffers removed N and P from subsurface flow in an agricultural watershed. Denitrification and vegetation uptake were important for N removal. Watershed scale studies of forest buffers showed that long-term sediment deposition rates explained the low sediment delivery ratios for Coastal Plain streams. Managed and restored forest and grass buffers controlled nitrogen movement from conventional row crops and dairy and swine lagoon effluent. Herbicides in surface runoff were removed by managed grass/forest buffers. If done carefully, the managed part of riparian forest buffers can be harvested without affecting water quality. Restoration of a riparian buffer on a first-order stream was effective in controlling N and P movement from dairy lagoon effluent and helped reduce herbicide movement. The Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM) predicts nonpoint source pollution control by riparian buffer systems.