GIS-based planning of buffer zones for protection of boreal streams and their riparian forests

Forested buffer zones with varying width have been suggested as the most promising approach for protecting boreal riparian biodiversity, reducing erosion, and minimizing nutrient leaching from managed forestry areas. Yet, less optimal fixed-width is still largely used, likely because of its simple design implementation. We examined efficiency varying-width based on depth-to-water (DTW) index in stream plant communities. further compared economic costs DTW-based to commonly used 5, 10 15 m buffers. also included an additional a combination DTW erosion risk (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, RUSLE) into these comparisons see extent cost that should maximize protection linked aquatic environment. Plant species richness increased increasing soil moisture preferring moist conditions, nutrient-rich soils high pH were clearly more abundant adjacent areas predicted than dry Differences paralleled by differences community composition higher beta diversity communities wet There several indicator typical Riparian average larger wide However, was lower when normalized area. Simulated selective cutting decreased costs, but possibilities variable among streams depended characteristics forest stands. Our results thus suggest potential predicting variable-width biodiversity ecosystems.