WATERSHED SCALE INVENTORY OF EXISTING RIPARIAN BUFFERS IN NORTHEAST MISSOURI USING GIS

摘要

An observational study was conducted at the watershed scale using land cover (vegetation) data to assess the absence or presence of riparian buffers in three northeastern Missouri watersheds. Forests and grasslands lying within a 61 m (200 ft) parallel band directly adjacent to streams were considered "buffers" for improving or protecting water quality and were characterized according to their length, width, and vegetation type. Results indicated that riparian buffers were abundant throughout the watersheds but were typically narrow along first-order and second-order streams; in many cases they may not have been wide enough to provide adequate stream protection. At least 90 percent of ail streams had buffer vegetation immediately adjacent to the streambanks, but as few as 31 percent of first-order streams had buffers extending to 61 m from the stream on at least one side. On-site evaluations are needed to determine the condition of these forests and grasslands and their ability to process nonpoint source pollutants. The results will be useful for providing natural resource managers with knowledge of current watershed conditions as well as in identifying specific locations for future conservation efforts within each watershed.