An Assessment of the Multifunctionality of Integrated Buffer Zones in Northwestern Europe
Open accessAbstract
Integrated buffer zones (IBZs) have recently been introduced in the Northwestern Europe temperate zone to improve delivery of ecosystem services compared with the services associated with long‐established vegetated buffer zones. A common feature of all the studied IBZ sites is that tile drainage, which previously discharged directly into the streams, is now intercepted within the IBZ. Specifically, the design of IBZs combines a pond, where soil particles present in drain water or surface runoff can be deposited, and a planted subsurface flow infiltration zone. Together, these two components should provide an optimum environment for microbial processes and plant uptake of nutrients. Nutrient reduction capacities, biodiversity enhancement, and biomass production functions were assessed with different emphasis across 11 IBZ sites located in Denmark, Great Britain, and Sweden. Despite the small size of the buffer zones (250–800 m 2 ) and thus the small proportion of the drained catchment (mostly <1%), these studies cumulatively suggest that IBZs are effective enhancements to traditional buffer zones, as they (i) reduce total N and P loads to small streams and rivers, (ii) act as valuable improved habitats for aquatic and amphibian species, and (iii) offer economic benefits by producing fast‐growing wetland plant biomass. Based on our assessment of the pilot sites, guidance is provided on the implementation and management of IBZs within agricultural landscapes. Core Ideas: Integrated buffer zones are a novel edge‐of‐field approach within riparian zones. Drain water and surface runoff will be trapped within a pond and charge a filter bed. The inclusion of trees aims to provide some of the benefits of riparian forests.
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Carefully designed riparian integrated buffer zones can reduce ditch nutrient loads, increase biodiversity, and allow the production of biomass.
“carefully designed riparian integrated buffer zones can reduce ditch nutrient loads, increase biodiversity, and allow the production of biomass 218 .”
From Lines in the landscape (2025) · cites this paper as [218]
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Clifford, C., Bieroza, M., Clarke, S. J., Pickard, A., Stratigos, M. J., Hill, M. J., Raheem, N., Tatariw, C., Wood, P. J., Arismendi, I., et al. (2025) · Communications Earth & Environment · doi:10.1038/s43247-025-02699-y · Cited by 16 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Zak, D., Stutter, M., Jensen, H. S., Egemose, S., Carstensen, M. V., Audet, J., Strand, J. A., Feuerbach, P., Hoffmann, C. C., Christen, B., Hille, S., Knudsen, M., Stockan, J., Watson, H., Heckrath, G., & Kronvang, B.
- Affiliations
- Dep. of Chemical Analytics and Biogeochemistry Leibniz‐Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Berlin Müggelseedamm 301 D‐12587 Berlin
- James Hutton Institute (GB)
- University of Southern Denmark (DK)
- Aarhus University (DK)
- Dep. of Wetlands & Biodiversity Hushållningssällskapet Halland SE‐305 96 Eldsberga Sweden
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Environmental Quality
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2019-03
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 362-375
- ISSN
- 0047-2425 (ISSN-L)
- 1537-2537
- OpenAlex
- W2911042272
- Cited by
- 48
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 2.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Environmental Quality (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Informationszentrum Lebenswissenschaften (ZB MED) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Scopus (Elsevier) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Funders
- Strategic Research Foundation-Innovation Fund Denmark
- Novel Technological Methods (1305-0017B)
- Nordic Centre of Excellence BIOWATER
- Nordforsk (82263)
- Brita and Sven Rahmns Foundation
- BUFFERTECH
- Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Stormwater Management Solutions
- Keywords
- tile drainage, nutrient load reduction, nitrogen and phosphorus removal, ecosystem services, biodiversity enhancement, agricultural landscapes, stream water quality, buffer zone management
- MeSH terms
- Non-Point Source Pollution, Agriculture, Biodegradation, Environmental, Conservation of Natural Resources, Environmental Monitoring, Europe, Phosphorus, Plants, Soil, Sweden, Water Movements, Ecosystem, Biomass, Rivers, Wetlands
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