Abstract
The Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM) was developed, calibrated and validated for both hydrologic and water quality data for eight riparian buffers located in a formerly glaciated watershed (upper Pawcatuck River Watershed, Rhode Island) of the US Northeast. The Annualized AGricultural Non-Point Source model (AnnAGNPS) was used to predict the runoff and sediment loading to the riparian buffer. Overall, results showed REMM simulated water table depths (WTDs) and groundwater NO3-N concentrations at the stream edge (Zone 1) in good agreement with measured values. The model evaluation statistics showed that, hydrologically REMM performed better for site 1, site 4, and site 8 among the eight buffers, whereas REMM simulated better groundwater NO3-N concentrations in the case of site 1, site 5, and site 7 when compared to the other five sites. The interquartile range of mean absolute error for WTDs was 3.5 cm for both the calibration and validation periods. In the case of NO3-N concentrations prediction, the interquartile range of the root mean square error was 0.25 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L for the calibration and validation periods, respectively, whereas the interquartile range of d for NO3-N concentrations was 0.20 and 0.48 for the calibration and validation period, respectively. Moreover, REMM estimation of % N-removal from Zone 3 to Zone 1 was 19.7%, and 19.8% of N against actual measured 19.1%, and 26.6% of N at site 7 and site 8, respectively. The sensitivity analyses showed that changes in the volumetric water content between field capacity and saturation (soil porosity) were driving water table and denitrification.
Highlights
Riparian zones occur at the interface of terrestrial and aquatic components of the landscape
We suggest there exists a critical need to determine the usability of Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM) in glaciated settings of the USA Northeast that is informed by (1) field data to offer an independent way of generalizing riparian function in these regions; (2) site-specific estimates of water flux and nutrient loading from uplands to the riparian zones
Simulated daily Water Table Depths (WTDs) were compared with those measured in the field in Zone 1 of the riparian buffer for all the sites
Summary
Riparian zones occur at the interface of terrestrial and aquatic components of the landscape They regularly receive and process large amounts of excess nitrogen (N), draining out of agricultural fields towards open water bodies. They are often characterized as “filters” or “buffers” and are vital elements in watershed management schemes for water quality maintenance and stream ecosystem habitat protection [1,2,3]. A number of key attributes related to location are critical in determining the potential impact of a riparian zone on water These attributes are incorporated in models such as the Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM) [15,16]. Site-specific models can improve riparian zone management decisions that seek to place, restore and protect riparian zones more effectively
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