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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #168174
Title: USE OF REMM TO COMPARE BUFFER SYSTEMS

Author
item Williams, Randall
item Lowrance, Robert
item GILBERT, JENNIFER - U. OF DELAWARE
item Sheridan, Joseph
item Bosch, David
item Hubbard, Robert

Submitted to: American Water Resources Association Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2004
Publication Date: 6/28/2004
Citation: Williams,R.G., Lowrance,R.R., Gilbert,J., Sheridan,J.M., Bosch,D.D., Hubbard,R.K. Use of remm to compare buffer systems. In: R.Lowrance (ed.) Riaprian Ecosystems and Buffers: Multi-scale structure, function, and management. 2004. American Water Resources Association Conference Proceedings, Middleburg, VA. (compact disc)

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Water quality and natural resource models are increasingly used to make management decisions and to design landscapes that will improve environmental quality. Every simulation model embodies assumptions and constraints that need to be considered when using the model to make management decisions. Often guidance for use of these models does not exist or is scattered in the literature of application and testing of the model. We developed guidelines for using the Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM) through a combination of sensitivity analysis and comparison of model results to both empirical and theoretical evidence of buffer performance. The questions considered were 1) How to use REMM to compare different size buffers for the same source area (typically an agricultural area); 2) How to use REMM to compare the effects of a single buffer on different loadings; 3) How to use REMM to compare simple watersheds with different areas of buffer. Operational considerations of using REMM to achieve these comparisons such as file structure and data management will be presented. Examples of using REMM for these comparisons for coastal plain riparian systems will allow comparisons of input output relationships and changes in hydrologic and nutrient cycling processes in a range of buffer designs.