Action

Benefits

Source

Livestock Exclusion

decreases erosion, improves channel and benthic habitats, increases riparian vegetation, less compaction of riparian soils, decreased nutrient and bacteria loading

(Overcash, Humenic, & Miner, 1983)

significantly decreased direct deposit of E. coli sources

(Henham, et al., 2008)

sediment concentration in storm runoff decreased by 60%

(Owens, Edwards, & Keuren, 1996)

improved water quality

(Sheffield, Mostaghimi, Vaughan, Collins, & Allen, 1997)

rapid growth in natural riparian vegetation, rapid response in aquatic condition

(Teels, Rewa, & Myers, 2006)

decreases bacterial contamination

(Zeckoski, Benham, & Lunsford, 2007)

decreases soil compaction

(The Izaak Walton League of America, 2006)

improves riparian vegetation

(Kauffman & Krueger, 1984)

Riparian Vegetation

retains 89% of nitrogen, retains 80% of phosphorus, leads to reduction in sediment loads

(Peterjohn & Correll, 1984)

reduces coliform bacteria levels

(Larsen, Miner, Buckhouse, & Moore, 1994)

buffers stream from degrading effects of nonpoint source pollution, improves stream bank cover, decreases sedimentation, manure, and nutrients, improves water appearance, provides shade and inputs of organic matter, stabilizes local bank and channel

(Teels, Rewa, & Myers, 2006)

reduces amount of sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants entering streams, increases deposition of sediments, takes up nutrients, stabilizes stream banks, slows force of storm water runoff, increases infiltration, provides food for aquatic communities, contributes large woody debris (a critical component of stream physical structure)

(Klapproth & Johnson, An Overview, 2009)

nitrogen retention of 85, 86, 90% from denitrification and plant uptake, enhanced water quality, control of nonpoint source pollution

(Lowrance, et al., 1997)

stabilizes substrate, provides habitats, protects substrate from erosion, influences light and primary production, provides organic sources of food for heterotrophic organisms

(Closs, Downes, & Boulton, 2004)

traps 84-90% of sediment

(Cooper, Gilliam, Daniels, & Robarge, 1987)

increases nutrient retention in floodplain, slows the movement of contaminants to surface waters

(Johnston, Bubenzer, Lee, Madison, & McHenry, 1984)

increases deposition of clay soils (which increases phosphorus retention through adsorption)

(Walbridge & Struthers, 1993)

decreases water velocity, increases infiltration and sediment deposition

(Lowrance, Sharpe, & Sheridan, 1986)

adds LWD, which is critical to geomorphic processes and habitats

(Walter & Merritts, 2008)

Channel Naturalization

decreases turbidity which decreases bacteria survival time

(Palmateer, 1992)

reduces loss of nutrients downstream, provides organisms with opportunity to take up nutrients

(Closs, Downes, & Boulton, 2004)

increases diversity of habitat

(Doll, et al., 2003)

decreased flow velocity, reduced median travel time by 50%, provided a diversity of flow conditions, increased nutrient uptake rates, increased phosphorus uptake rates by 50%

(Bukaveckas, 2007)

augments in-stream habitats, helps to convey flows and control grade

(LandStudies, Inc., 2004)

Floodplain Reconnection

flooding of vegetated floodplain reduces nitrogen levels

(Johnston, Bubenzer, Lee, Madison, & McHenry, 1984)

dissipates energy from floods, reduces sediments and nutrients in stream, stabilizes stream, keeps floodplains fertile, prevents stream bank erosion, results in long-term, low-maintenance benefits

(LandStudies, Inc., 2004)

reestablishes natural frequency and conditions of overbank flow

(Walter & Merritts, 2008)

reduces bankfull capacity

(Bukaveckas, 2007)

allows for exchange of material (such as organic material, nutrients, and sediment)

(Closs, Downes, & Boulton, 2004)

improved riparian buffer, provided habitat for native fish

(Swenson, Whitener, & Eaton, 2003)