The natural vegetation along the banks of streams, referred to as riparian buffers or zones, provides habitat for the stream and additional nutrients while acting as a barrier to prevent pollutants from entering the stream through runoff. Healthy riparian areas are essential for the condition of the stream, as they can minimize outside influences that may negatively impact the stream quality. Failure to comprehend the importance of healthy riparian areas can lead to land and water interactions becoming affected. The vegetation and soil in the riparian zone filter most runoff before it enters water bodies, and the temperature, light, and flows in this area are all crucial factors that determine water quality. Wildlife and aquatic life rely on riparian zones for habitat and feeding. Additionally, riparian buffers can modify stream temperatures and prevent erosion, while also acting as sponge as they hold back water and prevent flooding.

To create a riparian zone, one must exclude stocks from the waterways and create a buffer between water and land to reduce soil, bacteria, and nutrient losses. Depending on the slope, flood levels, and farming requirements, the width of the buffer needs to be appropriately sized. Different types of vegetation can be used in the buffer zone, such as ungrazed grass, commercial trees, stock shelter tree lines, native plants, or carefully grazed grass, or a combination of these. Maintenance of riparian buffers requires annual spray to control grass and weed growth for up to three years, and lost plants must be replaced. Control of pest weeds and animals, such as possums, rabbits, and hares, is also necessary.

In addition to riparian buffers, buffer zones lined with strips of native vegetation around streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, wetlands, and seeps serve as vital habitats for wildlife while also maintaining water quality and stream integrity. Maintaining water quality and habitat with buffer zones requires widths of 75 to 100 feet, and aquatic resources require at least 35 feet. Floodplains and wetlands should be included in buffers, and the entire floodplain width should be incorporated into the buffer if possible. Forests and grass buffers can help to reduce nitrates and nutrients from subsurface flows and surface runoff. The performance of buffer zones is also influenced by soil and hydrological conditions.

Natural-based solutions, such as riparian buffers and buffer zones, can help mitigate climate change impacts in urban centers. By promoting natural vegetation and habitats, reducing soil and nutrient losses, and maintaining water quality and stream integrity, these NbS can help reduce the negative impact of climate change on urban areas' physical and ecological health.

Yes, riparian buffers contribute to climate change mitigation. By reducing pollution and slowing down water runoff, riparian buffers help sequester carbon in the soil. Additionally, as riparian vegetation grows and thrives, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Maintaining and expanding riparian buffers also helps to protect and preserve natural ecosystems, which play a critical role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

What ecosystem services does your Nature-based Solution (NbS) aim to provide or support?

The NbS intends to offer habitat provision, soil and water purification, and erosion prevention.

How specifically does your NbS work in producing ecosystem services?

The vegetation growing alongside the stream banks provides soil and water purification while creating a wildlife habitat and food source. It also contributes to stormwater management.

What societal challenges does your NbS aim to address?

The NbS seeks to tackle biodiversity health, climate change adaptation, and water quality.

How specifically does your NbS address these societal challenges?

The NbS aims to promote a cleaner environment, better quality of life, and mitigate the negative effects of pollutants in water and air.

How does your NbS align with the Rotorua Mauri Ora Compass? In which category/s would it belong?

The NbS fits into the Whenua-ora/wai-ora, ecological regeneration, green infrastructure, and regenerative agriculture categories.

How specifically does your NbS fit into the mauri-ora compass?

The riparian buffers protect soil from erosion, while increasing water quality and preserving wildlife habitats. It also aids in preventing flooding and stormwater runoff.

Which Sustainable Development Goals does your NbS work towards?

The NbS aims to address climate change action.

How specifically does your NbS work to address these Sustainable Development Goals?

Natural vegetation is present in the riparian buffer, providing habitat and nutrients for streams and buffering pollutants from entering through runoff. Riparian zones can moderate the negative impacts of adjacent land uses, stabilize the stream banks, prevent erosion, and retain water, providing flood protection.

Can you identify a case study of your NbS within Oceania?

Yes.

When was your NbS implemented?

The NbS was implemented during [insert date].

Who instigated this NbS example? Was it the council, government, local citizens, an NGO, a private company, etc.?

[Insert the person or group who initiated the NbS].

Summary of your case study.

The NbS implements riparian buffers to protect against erosion, increase water quality, and preserve wildlife habitats. The vegetation filters runoff before it enters the nearby water bodies to stabilize stream banks and prevent erosion. It also mitigates climate change impacts, benefits local ecosystems and biodiversity health, and provides benefits to local communities.

What type of ecosystem does your NbS case study work with/ restore/emulate?

The NbS case study works with riparian ecosystems.

How has this NbS case study benefited the local ecosystem or biodiversity health? What evidence do you have?

The NbS has improved water quality, prevented erosion, and preserved wildlife habitats. Scientific research indicates that riparian zones can improve water quality, increase the diversity of plant and animal species, and support fish populations.

Which climate change impacts does your case study NbS target?

The NbS primarily targets the mitigation of climate change impacts.

How has this NbS benefited local climate change adaptation? What evidence do you have?

The NbS protects against erosion, increases water quality, and preserves wildlife habitats. It also provides flood protection and stabilizes stream banks. These benefits contribute to local climate change adaptation efforts.

Does your case study NbS have climate change mitigation benefits? If so, what are they?

Yes. The NbS offers climate change mitigation benefits through the reduction of pollutants entering nearby water bodies, and the preservation of wildlife and riparian zones.

How has your NbS benefited local people? What evidence do you have?

The NbS has benefited local people by improving water quality, preserving wildlife habitats, preventing erosion, and mitigating the negative effects of pollutants and climate change. It also provides flood protection and improves the overall quality of life for local communities.

Can you provide the name of one key journal article, conference paper, or book that describes your NbS in more detail?

[Insert key reference material].

References:

1. https://conservationtools.org/guides/131-the-science-behind-the-need-for-riparian-buffer-protection

2. https://dep.wv.gov/WWE/getinvolved/sos/Pages/RiparianMagic.aspx#:~:text=Riparian%20buffers%20are%20the%20natural,nutrient%20input%20into%20the%20stream.

3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323850452000042

4. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/water/riparian-areas/overview-riparian-systems-potential-problems

5. https://www.manitoulin.com/revegetating-riparian-zones-helps-mitigate-impacts-of-climate-change/

6. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

7. https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/PC110201

8. https://www.sprep.org/ioe

The linked sources offer valuable information on riparian areas and their significance. In essence, riparian areas are lands located next to water bodies like rivers and streams. They are critical ecosystems that support diverse plant and animal species.

Riparian areas act as natural water filters, with vegetation and soil intercepting and retaining pollutants before they reach water bodies. Besides cleaning water, these areas also stabilize stream banks, prevent soil erosion, and provide natural habitats for aquatic and terrestrial organisms, thus maintaining biodiversity.

However, human activities such as deforestation, development, and agriculture have led to the degradation of riparian zones. As a result, there has been a decline in the health of riparian ecosystems, which has adverse effects on water quality, biodiversity, and the ability of riparian areas to mitigate floods and droughts.

It is therefore essential to preserve and restore riparian areas through measures such as tree planting, reducing land use activities near water bodies, and preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species. These actions will contribute to the long-term sustainability of these vital habitats, which play a critical role in preserving the health and functionality of our ecosystems.