Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Economically sustainable riparian buffer to promote bank stability and reduce gully erosion and phosphorus runoff in the Loess Hills

Project ID: 2002-E30

Abstract

The project considered what types and configurations of vegetative buffers might be effective in slowing soil loss at a Loess Hills site.

Key Question: Will a planted buffer combined with periodic harvest of trees reduce phosphorus loss to adjacent stream, and prevent stream extension into the field?

Findings: A planted buffer (grass and trees) with periodic harvest of the cottonwood trees allowed phosphorus entrapment and removal before reaching the stream. Also, the stream did not extend further into the field as had occurred in the past.

Lead investigator: J.M. Kelly, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, et al

Year of grant completion: 2007

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Ecology Initiative.

Topics: Nutrient management