Aquatic buffers and their ecological functions

Environmental Aquatic Buffers

Maintaining environmental aquatic buffers is essential in the structure and concept of the design. Without proper maintenance, any of these buffers would cease to provide the valuable protection so needed in both urban and rural areas. Urban areas with buffer zones especially need to be well kept, for much run off from these areas is exactly what engineers and environmental activists were hoping to exclude with their designs, harmful toxins and sediment. Specific zones of urban areas need special attention as to not disturb the natural spring water and wetland areas (Stormwatercenter.net). The excessive amounts of harmful chemicals makes the efficiency of the aquatic buffers so important in more urban environments,

Both individuals and local government agencies have been known to completely miss the boundaries of the buffer zones, and therefore forsaking them to the detrimental toxins associated with urban development towards delicate wetland areas. After several cases of individuals unknowingly ignoring boundary lines, government ordinances were set in place which restrict development in certain areas and ensure the protection of the buffer zones from the encroachment of business or residential development. Recent management of buffer zones requires clearly visible signs of buffer areas and more specific restrictions of the usages of the three different core zones. Modern ordinances require restricted usages of the middle and inner core zones in order to further protect buffer areas. The inner core is highly restricted, development s restricted to flood water ways, foot paths, and utility paths. The middle core is also restricted, but has more flexibility in development. The outer core zone is unrestricted, and can include the development of residential usages such as lawns, (Article #41: Invisibility of Stream and Wetland Buffers in the Field).

With the right design and proper maintenance of the buffer areas, they can be efficient in removing pollution from natural water streams and wetlands. By designing the buffer zones according to the type of vegetation used as markers, these aquatic buffers can vary in exactly how efficient they are in keeping out pollution from storm water runoff and other local pollutants which derive from various sages of the neighboring lands. Several important factors all contribute to better efficiency and cleaner water areas. For example, shallow grades in the buffer zones are ore effective than steeper grades of 5 degrees or more. Also, compacted soil proves to be less efficient than loose soil in the absorption of polluted storm and urban water runoff, (Stormwatercenter.net). Strategic placement of buffer zones is also a major factor in the effectiveness of the buffer areas. Mature forests and vegetated areas are ideal in choosing buffer zone sites. It has been shown through several studies that the more root systems in the ground of buffer zones, means the more pollutants absorbed from the ground water.