Editing Buffer zone (section)

== Ecological functions of conservation ==

=== Water quality improvement ===
The [[water quality|quality of surface water]] in many countries is getting worse due to the misuse of land.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Carpenter |first1=S. R .|last2=Caraco |first2=N. F. |last3=Correll |first3=D. L. |last4=Howarth |first4=R. W. |last5=Sharpley |first5=A. N. |last6=Smith |first6=V. H. |date=August 1998 |title=Nonpoint Pollution of Surface Waters with Phosphorus and Nitrogen |journal=Ecological Applications |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=559 |doi=10.2307/2641247 |issn=1051-0761 |jstor=2641247|hdl=1813/60811|url=https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/60811/1/Carpenter_et_al-1998-Ecological_Applications.pdf|hdl-access=free |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430115726/https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/60811/Carpenter_et_al-1998-Ecological_Applications.pdf;jsessionid=B77DD75C0F5E3E89EBA0E83C53B16AA2?sequence=1 |archive-date=2019-04-30 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the buffer zone occupies a small area, it greatly improves the quality of water in the agricultural [[wikt:drainage basin|watershed]] due to its filtering effect on nutrients in the underground water and surface water.

Because farmland is sprayed with large amounts of pesticides, some of which can seep into surface water, fish and other aquatic life can be negatively affected, which in turn can lead to environmental damage. Vegetation buffer has been proved to be an effective filter for sediment, especially for sediment-bound pesticides.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Syversen|first1=Nina|last2=Bechmann|first2=Marianne|date=May 2004|title=Vegetative buffer zones as pesticide filters for simulated surface runoff|journal=Ecological Engineering|volume=22|issue=3|pages=175–184|doi=10.1016/j.ecoleng.2004.05.002|bibcode=2004EcEng..22..175S |issn=0925-8574}}</ref> When pesticides are sprayed in excess, a vegetation buffer can be built to reduce the penetration of pesticides into surface water. The buffer zone also prevents heavy metals or toxins from spreading to [[protected area]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Deroanne-Bauvin|first1=J|last2=Delcarte|first2=E|last3=Impens|first3=R|date=January 1987|title=Monitoring of lead deposition near highway: A ten years study|journal=Science of the Total Environment|volume=59|pages=257–266|doi=10.1016/0048-9697(87)90447-5|bibcode=1987ScTEn..59..257D|issn=0048-9697}}</ref>

=== Riverbank stabilization ===
When riverbanks are low due to plant roots entering the interior of the riverbank vertically, the sediment of riverbank is affected by the action of said plant roots, and the ability to resist erosion is higher than that without plant roots. But when the riverbanks are higher, the roots of the plants do not penetrate deeply into the soil, and the lakeshore soil is not very strong. Herbaceous plants can play a role to some extent, but in the long term, vegetation buffer zone can effectively solve the problem of water level rise and water erosion.

The adsorption capacity of a buffer zone can reduce the speed of [[surface runoff]] and increase the effective water content of soil. Through increasing [[soil organic matter]] content and improving soil structure, a buffer zone can have a positive effect on soil water storage performance. In addition, plant roots make the soil stronger, withstand waves and rainstorm, mitigate the erosion of riverbanks by [[flood]]s, and effectively control the erosion of the beach.

=== Wildlife food and habitat ===
[[File:Riparian buffer on Bear Creek in Story County, Iowa.JPG|thumb|upright|A riparian buffer in Story County, Iowa, protecting a creek]]

[[Riparian buffer]] zones have been used in many areas to protect the habitats of many animals which are being devastated by increased human activity. The areas around the buffer zone can form the habitat of many animals, and plants can become food for small [[aquatic animal]]s. The buffer zone itself can also support the life activities of various [[amphibian]]s and [[bird]]s. Plants and animals can [[migration (ecology)|migrate]] or spread in response to these buffer zones, thus increasing the [[biodiversity]] in the area.

A 1998 study shows that the species and number of animals and plants in riparian zones are higher than in other ecosystems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sturtevant|first=Brian R |date=October 1998 |title=A model of wetland vegetation dynamics in simulated beaver impoundments |journal=Ecological Modelling |volume=112 |issue=2–3 |pages=195–225 |doi=10.1016/s0304-3800(98)00079-9 |bibcode=1998EcMod.112..195S |issn=0304-3800}}</ref> Because of their ability to provide abundant water, soft soil and stable climate, small animals such as ''[[Mouse-eared bat|Myotis]]'' and ''[[Marten|Martes]]'' prefer to live along riverbanks rather than in hilly areas.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Doyle |first=A. T. |date=1990-02-20 |title=Use of Riparian and Upland Habitats by Small Mammals |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=71 |issue=1 |pages=14–23 |doi=10.2307/1381312 |issn=1545-1542 |jstor=1381312}}</ref> The buffer zone can also provide a good environment for upland habitat, which is in line with the living conditions of freshwater [[turtle]]s, making them more dependent on the wetland environment.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Burke |first1=Vincent J. |last2=Gibbons |first2=J. Whitfield |date=December 1995|title=Terrestrial Buffer Zones and Wetland Conservation: A Case Study of Freshwater Turtles in a Carolina Bay|journal=Conservation Biology |volume=9 |issue=6 |pages=1365–1369 |doi=10.1046/j.1523-1739.1995.09061365.x |bibcode=1995ConBi...9.1365B |issn=0888-8892}}</ref> The protection level of the buffer zones will affect the habitat range of amphibians and [[reptile]]s, and the environmental management of the wetland habitat around buffer zone is extremely important.

=== Providing aesthetic value ===
Vegetation buffer zones form a variety of [[landscape]]s as an important part of the riparian zone. Combining land and water improves the aesthetic value of river basin landscapes. The riparian buffer is rich in plant resources, and the wetland, grassland, and forest ecosystems make the landscape more beautiful. In addition, some recreational facilities can be built in the buffer zone to provide better living conditions for residents or tourists and improve people's quality of life.

In the buffer zone, trees up to 6 meters tall greatly enhance the aesthetic value of the landscape.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Borin |first1=Maurizio |last2=Passoni |first2=Matteo |last3=Thiene |first3=Mara |last4=Tempesta |first4=Tiziano |date=January 2010 |title=Multiple functions of buffer strips in farming areas |journal=European Journal of Agronomy |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=103–111 |doi=10.1016/j.eja.2009.05.003 |bibcode=2010EuJAg..32..103B |issn=1161-0301}}</ref> These tall trees have luxuriant branches and leaves, especially their upright posture, making them of higher ornamental value. Some colorful landscape tree species can be planted on both sides of rivers with tourism and sightseeing value to improve the aesthetic value of the place. Establishing vegetation in the buffer zone can increase green land, improve [[forest cover]]age, beautify the environment and visual effect, improve people's living environment, enrich the humanistic landscape, and enhance aesthetic value. By emphasizing the importance of the buffer zone, residents can be encouraged to participate in the protection and management of the buffer zone, and checkpoints around the buffer zone can be set up to make it more secure and effective.