Watershed-level evaluation of the efficacy of riparian buffers on reducing nutrient and pesticide loading to protect water quality and biodiversity in streams

Lead Applicant: Ryan Prosser

Research Priority: Water Quality & Quantity

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2021/2022

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: The movement of sediment, nutrients and pesticide residues from farmland can pose a significant risk to freshwater ecosystems. The use of vegetated riparian buffer strips to filter farmland runoff is the recommended best management practice (BMP) from OMAFRA, but it is unclear how effective they are in practice. This study will test the efficacy of buffer strip BMPs to mitigate the impact of agriculture on freshwater ecosystems, including nutrient loading and pesticides, and the impact on biodiversity of macroinvertebrate communities.