Role of Woody Species in (Riparian) Buffer Plantings

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1 Role of Woody Species in (Riparian) Buffer Plantings Ginger Kopp State Staff Forester USDA NRCS, St. Paul MN April 1, 2008 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2 NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Riparian Forest Buffer, Code 391 Purposes in Standard Soil Stabilization Water Quality Improvement Wildlife habitat enhancement Riparian Ecosystem enhancement Carbon Sequestration

3 NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Riparian Forest Buffer, Code 391 Purposes in Standard Soil Stabilization Headcutting Eroding streambanks (limited)

4 NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Riparian Forest Buffer, Code 391 Purposes in Standard Water Quality Improvement Surface water and shallow ground water Reduce surface runoff and sedimentation Reduce non-point source pollution (nutrients, pesticides, herbicides) Increase infiltration Disperse concentrated run-off Nutrient uptake and storage

5 NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Riparian Forest Buffer, Code 391 Purposes in Standard Wildlife habitat enhancement Aquatic and upland wildlife Provide food and cover Add detritus and coarse woody debris in streams

6 NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Riparian Forest Buffer, Code 391 Purposes in Standard Riparian Ecosystem enhancement Create shade to lower or maintain water temperatures Restore riparian plant communities Slow flood waters to allow a functional floodplain to develop

7 NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Riparian Forest Buffer, Code 391 Purposes in Standard Carbon Sequestration Increase plant biomass Increase soil carbon storage

8 Bioenergy and Biofuels in Riparian Forest Buffers The RFB practice standard and DNR allows harvesting in riparian forest buffers, as long as the purpose of the practice is not violated and DNR filter strip guidelines are followed. The wider and longer the buffer, the more suitable it will be for bioenergy or biofuel purposes. Tree species suitable are hybrid poplars, cottonwoods, alders willows and maybe silver maple. Capable of putting on a lot of growth early and producing vigorous sprouts that can be repeatedly harvested.

9 Carbon Sequestration in Riparian Forest Buffers Certain trees and shrubs either through fast growth or longevity capture and hold significant amounts carbon thereby keeping it out of the atmosphere Trees include: eastern cottonwood, hybrid poplar, black willow, green ash, silver maple, basswood, aspen, and to a lesser extent red and white pines

10 Forest Farming or Multi-story Cropping in Riparian Forest Buffers Using plants or plant parts (woody plants and plants found or grown in woods or forests) for crafts, foods, medicinals, florals and herbs Includes: fungi, moss, lichens, herbs, vines, shrubs, trees, roots, tubers, leaves, bark, twigs, branches, sap, fruit, resin and wood. May or may not consume the plant (birch bark, fruits, twigs, branches, sap, resin, etc.)

11 Forest Farming or Multi-story Cropping in Riparian Forest Buffers The opportunities are plentiful: Jams, jellies, sauces and marinades from berries and other fruit, mushrooms and other fungi, maple or birch sap, basket splits from cedar, willows, basswood, black ash, white oak and maples, white pine and cedar boughs for wreaths, birch bark products (too many to mention), conifer cones, nuts such as hazels and walnut or hickory, etc.

12 Resources National Agroforestry Center

13 Resources NAC Free Publications Inside Agroforestry Non-technical Informational

14 Resources NAC Free Publications Agroforestry Notes Technical Plain Language How-to

15 Resources NAC Free Publications

16 Resources NAC Free Publications

17 UM Extension Publications

18 UM Extension Publications

19 COMET-VR Measuring/Reporting Carbon Sequestration

20 Trees and Shrubs in (Riparian) Forest Buffers - Summary Purpose of Practice must be met and maintained Become self-educated educated about opportunities in your area and be creative in offering alternatives Alternatives must be considered in the planning process up- front There are many opportunities for the enterprising landowner Use local assistance agencies and organizations (government, non-profit, for profit, cooperatives, agencies, organizations, etc.)

21 Equal Opportunity "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."

22 Questions?