INTELLIGENT USE OF BUFFER ZONES

Transcription

1 INTELLIGENT USE OF BUFFER ZONES Beneficial to society and agriculture PHOTO: SØREN ULRIK VESTERGAARD

2 INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT 9 meter buffer zone Buffer zones, as we know them to day, some times create economic challenges for the agriculture. The expenditure of establishing 9 meter buffer strips along streams and lakes is high if the desired effect is not achieved. Therefore innovation is required. Crop Buffer zones must be able to create benefits for society and agriculture. If we have the knowledge to place and utilise buffer strips intelligently, they have the potential to create value for production, nature and environment while also benefiting the energy sector. A solution like this, we call intelligent buffer zones. Buffer zone of varying width depending on terraine BufferTech is an interdisciplinary project that aims to optimise the benefits of intelligent buffer zones by the use of new technology and knowledge from local landowners and stakeholders. Crop The project is funded by The Danish Innovation Fund and has a budget of 21.7 million DKK. The project period runs for four years from 2014 to : Dry buffer zone 2

3 Current situation with buffer zones 9 meter buffer zone Drainage pipe Crop FACTS ABOUT Intelligent Buffer Zones Buffer zones can be divided into two types, please see the figure: 1. The dry buffer zone may have different widths according to terrain and local conditions. The vegetation varies from landscaped vegetation to natural grass or trees. 2. The wet buffer zone is established by changing hydrology (groundwater) either by changing maintenance of the stream and restoration or by letting drainage water infiltrate a constructed wet zone from a parallel trench along the stream. Intelligent use of buffer zones 9 meter buffer zone Crop Drainage pipe 2: Wet buffer zone Illustrated by DCE - Danish Centre for Environment and Energy. Intelligent use of buffer zones ensures optimum efficiency of the measure, such as retention of nutrients from runoff, reduction of nutrient leaching from drainage water and protection against loss of pesticides. Furthermore, buffer zones provide the opportunity for utilising biomass and optimising fertilisation in adjacent areas. 3

4 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH The objective of BufferTech is to find intelligent solutions for optimal use of buffer zones along rivers and lakes, to improve economic benefits for society and agriculture. Therefore, we carry out research in a wide range of scientific areas. 1. Removal of nutrients by harvesting biomass 2. Improvement of biodiversity and its importance to the ecological status in streams 3. Development of methods testing sediment and nutrient retention in buffer zones 4. Optimisation of nitrogen turnover and retention of phosphorus from drainage water 5. Development of a planning tool optimising the functionality and socio-economic benefits of buffer zones 6. Dissemination of results, research management and education. 4 NATURA

5 Relocation of the intensive and valuable agricultural production to the least vulnerable areas, was one of the main theses, announced by the Commission on Nature and Agriculture in the spring of Because land areas adjacent to streams are of major importance for the ecological status of the stream and because surface water, as a buffer, protects against the emission of soil, nutrients and pesticides, it is natural to examine and clarify which location, width and kind of vegetation and management will provide the optimum conditions for buffer zones in order to meet the recommendation of the Commission on Nature and Agriculture. Project leader Brian Kronvang Department of Bioscience Aarhus University

6 I find it exciting that my land is used in a project that can provide new data and a more realistic picture of the effectiveness of buffer zones, upon which I hope politicians will make their future decisions. I hope that we will be allowed to use fertiliser more efficiently than today. Farmer Thomas Meldgaard Spjald PILOT AREAS In order to map the effects of intelligent buffer zones, three pilot areas have been selected in the project: one in Eastern Jutland near Odder, one in Western Jutland near Spjald and one in Southern Jutland near Christiansfeld. The pilot areas provide a basis for testing concepts and solutions in close cooperation with agriculture and local stakeholders. The areas are geographically selected in order to achieve variations in landscape and soil conditions. 6

7 We hope that BufferTech will result in more targeted and socio-economic optimum environmental measures at the edge of the cultivation zone, which would provide better nature and environment and also be meaningful to agriculture. Communication responsible Irene Wiborg SEGES P/S RESEARCH PARTNERS The partners in BufferTech are represented by Danish and international Universities, farmers unions and private companies. Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience Aarhus University, Department of Agroecology Aarhus University, Department of Engineering Copenhagen University, Department of Food and Resource Economics University of Southern Denmark, Department of Biology SEGES P/S The Farmers Union of Southern Jutland The Farmers Union of Western Jutland Orbicon A/S Arwos The James Hutton Institute (Scotland) PHOTO: FRANK BONDGAARD, SEGES P/S 7

8 If you have any questions about BufferTech or wish to share your opinion with others, please do not hesitate to start a discussion at our website: We look forward to hearing from you. CONTACT INFORMATION: Brian Kronvang Irene Wiborg bkr@bios.au.dk iaw@seges.dk Editor: Camilla Vestergaard, SEGES P/S PHOTO: FRANK BONDGAARD, SEGES P/S