Forestry Workgroup Publications

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 publications

Restoring a Bay Resource - Riparian Forest Buffer Demonstration Sites

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The use of demonstration sites for riparian forest buffer establishment is one way to help accomplish the objectives of communication, education, and monitoring. The riparian forest buffers in this document are located in agricultural, rural, and urban settings. An effort was made to locate restoration efforts in all three of these settings thereby showing the buffer's applicability in different land uses.

View document [PDF, 6.7 MB] Restoring a Bay Resource - Riparian Forest Buffer Demonstration Sites

The State of Chesapeake Forests

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This first-of-its-kind report synthesizes more than a decade's worth of data from public and private sources, highlights current forest conditions, forecasts future trends, and outlines key goals and strategies necessary to conserve and restore the forests of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The report calls for a strategic, long-term approach that identifies and focuses on forests with the highest environmental, economic, and social values. Together, public and private partners can help preserve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its residents through a concerted effort to protect its forests.

View document [PDF] The State of Chesapeake Forests

Forestry Best Management Practices and Water Quality in the Piedmont and Ridge and Valley Provinces

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A literature review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of forestry best management practices (BMPs) in reducing water quality impacts of forestry management operations within the Piedmont and Ridge-and-Valley of the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW). Two apsects of BMP effectiveness were addressed: the ability of BMPs to reduce impacts on water quality, and compliance with state-recommended BMPs.

View document [PDF] Forestry Best Management Practices and Water Quality in the Piedmont and Ridge and Valley Provinces

Forested Riparian Zones and their Benefit to Anadromous Fish in Chesapeake Bay

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Riparian forests are essential interfaces between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They intercept surface runoff, subsurface flow and deeper ground water flows for purposes of removing or buffering effects from nutrients, pesticides or other pollutants which could otherwise enter streams and other larger bodies of water.

View document [PDF] Forested Riparian Zones and their Benefit to Anadromous Fish in Chesapeake Bay

Riparian Forest Buffers: Linking Land and Water

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Riparian lands provide a wealth of ecological benefits. For example, trees along the shoreline help to filter pollutants and sediment from runoff and groundwater before they enter the waterways. Trees also provide important habitat benefits for aquatic creatures. Fallen leaves and branches offer food and shelter, while shade helps to regulate water temperature and keep oxygen in the water. When riparian forests help to protect the streams and rivers in the Bay watershed, these benefits are realized downstream in the Chesapeake Bay. With more than 200,000 miles of streambanks and shoreline in the Bay watershed, riparian forests are vital for the success of the Bay restoration effort.

View document [PDF] Riparian Forest Buffers: Linking Land and Water

Forest & Riparian Buffer Conservation: Local Case Studies from the Chesapeake Bay Program

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This publication is a collection of case-studies that highlight accomplishments of local governments and citizen organizations to recognize the importance of forests to their communities and to take action to retain and restore those forests. It illustrates, in two separate sections, innovative riparian buffer and forest conservation programs initiated and implemented locally by the stewards of the Bay - its private citizens.

View document [PDF] Forest & Riparian Buffer Conservation: Local Case Studies from the Chesapeake Bay Program

Riparian Forest Buffer Design and Maintenance

Publication date:

Riparian forest buffers are essential components of maintaining long-term stream and watershed health and resilience in the Chesapeake Bay region. Riparian forest buffers also provide valuable ecological functions for wildlife habitat and biodiversity. This guide has been prepared as a resource to the many who wish to establish a forest buffer efficiently, effectively, and with a minimum of maintenance.

View document [PDF, 890.8 KB] Riparian Forest Buffer Design and Maintenance