Abstract
Vegetated buffer zones (VBZ) are accepted worldwide as a low impact method to avoid non-point source pollution and restore the balance of river ecosystems. Strongly influenced by industrialization and urbanization, urban river ecology is seriously damaged, and restoration is tricky. This study established a complete buffer zone construction framework suitable for the small urban watershed, and its feasibility is verified in a small watershed in Northern China. First, common plants in the study area were selected to test their ability to purify pollutants, and plant combinations were optimized. Secondly, according to the field investigation, the reference buffer zone was determined, and its sewage interception capacity was tested through a runoff simulation experiment. Then, based on GIS and Phillips time and hydraulic models, the normal buffer width of the study area was obtained; 60 m for mainstream and 40 m for tributaries. By optimizing the vegetation scheme and delimiting an efficient buffer zone, the land occupation can be reduced by 17%. Finally, combined with the characteristics of different river sections, an elaborate VBZ restoration scheme is designed from the aspects of vegetation, planning, and zoning. Generally, this research will provide government and land managers scientific and practical ideas and technologies to formulate a land management policy for urban river buffer zones in order to find a balance between aquatic ecological protection and urban land use planning and optimize the allocation of construction funds.
Highlights
Riparian buffer zones, especially vegetated buffers, are viewed as the significant barrier between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to protect the freshwater environment and wildlife habitat
The purpose of this study is to develop a general idea of ecological restoration planning of heavily polluted urban rivers
The growth of the plants was in good condition, w death or diseases, which suggests that the test plants are tolerant to the sewage t e3x. tReenstu.lItsn plant growth, pollutants in sewage water are constantly absorbed and u p3r.1o.vPildanitnAgrcraenrgteaminenntsuOtrpiteimnitzsatfioonr plants
Summary
Especially vegetated buffers, are viewed as the significant barrier between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to protect the freshwater environment and wildlife habitat. These areas have been demonstrated to stabilize the riparian microclimate, control soil erosion, retain sediment, nutrients, and pesticides from surface runoff and provide an ecological corridor to guard biodiversity [1,2,3,4,5]. The protection and restoration of the vegetated buffer zones (VBZ) are considered a low-impact and sustainable method for the government and land users to fulfill the service value of aquatic ecosystems [9,10]. The urban riparian landscape needs to become a green area with a high appreciation and enjoyment for lifestyle attraction
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