An Integrated Riparian Management System to Control Non-Point Source Pollution and Enhance Wildlife Habitat

1995 Annual Report for ANC95-024

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 1995: $0.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1997
Matching Federal Funds: $48,717.00
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $133,495.00
ACE Funds: $102,600.00
Region: North Central
State: Iowa
Project Coordinator:
Thomas Isenhart
Dept of Forestry, Iowa State University

An Integrated Riparian Management System to Control Non-Point Source Pollution and Enhance Wildlife Habitat

Summary

An integrated riparian management system is being established along a central Iowa stream to demonstrate benefits of properly functioning riparian zones in the heavily row-cropped Midwest. The model system consists of: 1) a buffer strip of fast-growing trees (located closest to the stream), shrubs and native grasses (adjacent to agricultural fields); 2) soil bioengineering for the stabilization of eroding stream banks; 3) constructed wetlands to intercept and process pollutants contained in agricultural tile drainage; and 4) rotational grazing systems to reduce livestock impact in the riparian zone.

This project represents continuation and expansion of previous initiatives and takes advantage of unique opportunities at the research site. The existing Multi-species Riparian Buffer Strip (MRBS) was expanded in 1994 to include another mile of stream length immediately upstream. The landowner/cooperator at this site employs fundamentally different agricultural management practices. This is allowing for the investigation of buffer strip function under radically different conditions. This opportunity is also allowing for replication of constructed wetlands to process agrichemicals contained in tile drainage and of soil bioengineering technologies to stabilize eroding stream banks.

The ability of this integrated riparian system to improve water quality is being quantified through the monitoring of sediment, nitrogen and atrazine in the surface runoff, shallow and deep groundwater, stream and tile water, and plants and soil in both the MRBS and the wetland. The rate of stream bank collapse of willow-planted stream banks is being compared to that of similar, untreated stream banks. The enhancement of wildlife habitat is being assessed through surveys comparing bird and small mammal use of treated riparian areas with degraded riparian areas. Costs and benefits are being derived which allow farmers to evaluate the design, establishment, maintenance and effectiveness of each individual practice and the integrated system. Technology transfer includes the development of a video and slide set, field days and a self-guided trail.

This team has been working together since 1990 when the riparian management system was first established. The project is quantifying the ability of an integrated riparian management system to reduce non-point source pollution to surface waters and to enhance wildlife habitat. It is intended to provide to the farmer the design, establishment procedures and maintenance requirements for the components of the integrated system as well as the costs and benefits. Also, it provides a single site on which all practices of the integrated riparian management system can be demonstrated. North Central Region SARE 1997 Annual Report.