Experimental design to test effectiveness of grass filter strips in riparian habitat

Authors: BALCERZAK, ASHLEE - The Ohio State University; Smiley, Peter - Rocky; KALCIC, MARGARET - The Ohio State University; King, Kevin

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/7/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Grass filter strips consist of herbaceous vegetation plants at the edge of agricultural fields next to a stream or river. They run lateral to streams or rivers and are designed to control non-point source pollution, by trapping sediment and decreasing the amount of nutrients and pesticides flowing into agricultural streams. Grass filter strips have been installed throughout the United States with the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. For this study, nine streams within the Upper Big Walnut Creek Watershed in Central Ohio were selected based on riparian habitat type. Three streams possessed riparian habitats with remnant vegetation, three had grass filter strips and three had forested, riparian habitat. It is hypothesized that streams with forested, riparian habitat will remove the largest amount of nutrient concentrations and streams with grass filter strips will remove the second largest amount of nutrient concentrations. Since 2006 water samples for the measurement of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved reactive phosphorus, soluble nitrogen were collected from each stream. Conclusions from this study will help determine the effectiveness of grass filter strips and enhance the understanding of nutrient management strategies and best management strategies in Ohio and beyond. This research will also help manage land management solutions for areas where harmful algal blooms occur.