ABSTRACT

Over 80 illustrated design guidelines are synthesized and developed from a review of over 1400 research publications. Each guideline describes a specific way that a vegetative buffer can be applied to protect soil, improve air and water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, produce economic products, provide recreation opportunities, or beautify the landscape. These science-based guidelines are presented as easy-to-understand rules-of-thumb for facilitating the planning and designing of conservation buffers in rural and urban landscapes. The online version of the guide includes the reference publication list as well as other buffer design resources www.bufferguidelines.net.

Keywords: Buffer, corridor, greenway, filter strip, riparian, streamside management zone, windbreak, conservation practice, conservation planning

Author: Gary Bentrup is a Research Landscape Planner, National Agroforestry Center, Southern Research Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Lincoln, NE 68538.