Field Manual on Buffer Design
This Buffer Design field manual is intended for use by agricultural practitioners in locating and designing riparian vegetated buffers adjacent to cropland. Buffers are a Beneficial Management Practice (BMP) to reduce runoff of nutrients and other substances from fields into water bodies, to protect water quality. To be effective, buffers must intercept overland flow. Field Manuals are available for the Canadian Prairies and Atlantic Canada.
Benefits of using the Field Manual
- Assesses landscape processes on a site by site basis
- Identifies appropriate BMPs, including vegetated buffers, to reduce the loss of nutrients
- Recommends where buffers should be placed and how they should be shaped in order to be effective
Who would benefit from using the Field Manual?
- Agricultural practitioners with expertise in BMPs
- Producers
- Land managers
- Community and watershed groups
The manual includes:
- Outcome drawings illustrating recommended buffer placement and shapes
- A Step Diagram illustrating the questions to be answered
- Each step is further described and illustrated with photos
- Interventions or recommended actions are described
- Case studies that illustrate how the manual can be used in the field
Order your copy
Order a print copy of the Field Manual on Buffer Design for the Canadian Prairies.
Order a print copy of the Field Manual on Buffer Design for Atlantic Canada.