Environmental Services Provided from Riparian Forests in the Nordic Countries

Abstract

Riparian forests (RF) growing along streams, rivers and lakes comprise more than 2% of the forest area in the Nordic countries (considering a 10 m wide zone from the water body). They have special ecological functions in the landscape. They receive water and nutrients from the upslope areas, are important habitats for biodiversity, have large soil carbon stores, but may emit more greenhouse gases (GHG) than the uplands. In this article, we present a review of the environmental services related to water protection, terrestrial biodiversity, carbon storage and greenhouse gas dynamics provided by RF in the Nordic countries. We discuss the benefits and trade-offs when leaving the RF as a buffer against the impacts from upland forest management, in particular the impacts of clear cutting. Forest buffers are effective in protecting water quality and aquatic life, and have positive effects on terrestrial biodiversity, particularly when broader than 40 m, whereas the effect on the greenhouse gas exchange is unclear.

A method to estimate the impact of clear-cutting on nutrient concentrations in boreal headwater streams

“…In addition to above-mentioned factors, the location of clear-cut area in relation to the stream may cause variability in treatment effects among studies (Kreutzweiser et al 2008;Abdelnour et al 2011). Also the properties of buffer zones may affect responses (Gundersen et al 2010). The efficiency of buffer zones to reduce nutrient export depends on soil and topographical characteristics of buffer zone, hydrological pathways, vegetation and microbial activity and dimensions of buffer zones in relation to the upslope area (Gundersen et al 2010).…”

“…Also the properties of buffer zones may affect responses (Gundersen et al 2010). The efficiency of buffer zones to reduce nutrient export depends on soil and topographical characteristics of buffer zone, hydrological pathways, vegetation and microbial activity and dimensions of buffer zones in relation to the upslope area (Gundersen et al 2010). The number of catchment pairs in the present study is not sufficient to fully analyze and explain observed variation, and further studies are needed to clarify the role of catchment characteristics in different responses to clear-cutting.…”

Ecosystem Services in Forests

“…A study (literature review) on environmental services provided from Riparian Forests (RF) in the Nordic countries was also presented (Gundersen et al 2010). RF's have special ecological functions in the landscape such as buffering the impacts from upland management (protecting water bodies from nutrients released) and they are important for biodiversity.…”

Consequences of More Intensive Forestry for the Sustainable Management of Forest Soils and Waters

“…Finally, to what degree are these land-water linkages buffered by riparian vegetation and organic soils? Indeed, refining our understanding of the role of riparian zones seems particularly important [103]. There is evidence that certain aspects of water quality may be maintained by riparian processes, which can include the retention of nutrients and sediments from upslope terrestrial habitats [104].…”