Riparian buffers in tropical agriculture: scientific support, effectiveness and directions for policy

Luke, Sarah H.; Slade, Eleanor M.; Gray, Claudia L.; Annammala, Kogila V.; Drewer, Julia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6263-6341; Williamson, Joseph; Agama, Agnes L.; Ationg, Miklin; Mitchell, Simon L.; Vairappan, Charles S.; Struebig, Matthew J.. 2019 Riparian buffers in tropical agriculture: scientific support, effectiveness and directions for policy. Journal of Applied Ecology, 56 (1). 85-92. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13280

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13280

Abstract/Summary

1. There is a weak evidence base supporting the effective management of riparian ecosystems within tropical agriculture. Policies to protect riparian buffers—strips of non‐cultivated land alongside waterways—are vague and vary greatly between countries. 2. From a rapid evidence appraisal, we find that riparian buffers are beneficial to hydrology, water quality, biodiversity and some ecosystem functions in tropical landscapes. However, effects on connectivity, carbon storage and emissions reduction remain understudied. Riparian functions are mediated by buffer width and habitat quality, but explicit threshold recommendations are rare. 3. Policy implications. A one‐size fits all width criterion, commonly applied, will be insufficient to provide all riparian functions in all circumstances. Context‐specific guidelines for allocating, restoring and managing riparian buffers are necessary to minimise continued degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in tropical agriculture.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13280
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0021-8901
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	biodiversity, conservation set-aside, ecosystem function, environmental policy, riparian corridor, riparian reserve, river, water quality
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment General > Science Policy
Date made live:	31 Oct 2018 15:12 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/521409

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13280

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0021-8901

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

biodiversity, conservation set-aside, ecosystem function, environmental policy, riparian corridor, riparian reserve, river, water quality