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Hydroecological approach for determining the width of riparian buffer zones for providing soil conservation and water quality
Dindaroǧlu, T.; Reis, M.; Akay, A.E. & Tonguç, F.
Abstract
Riparian buffer zones have important ecological
functions such as sustainability of water quality, reducing
sediment accumulation, and preventing erosion. However, it
is often very difficult to develop a general rule for these areas
since each riparian zone may have different rainfall characteristics
and soil properties. In this study, the width of
riparian buffer zone was determined around a sample dam
lake to achieve sustainable water quality and soil conservation.
The research was conducted in Palandoöken Dam Lake
located in the eastern city of Erzurum in Turkey. For the
implementation of the riparian buffer zone, firstly, flood
conditions were taken into account based on series of satellite
images and then depression zone was calculated using Archydro
software based on Digital Elevation Model. Two
satellite images of the study area taken in August 2008 and
April 2011 were compared to determine the potential flooded
areas. Then, potential depression zone, which are around and
beyond the flooded areas, were determined based on terrain
structure (sink areas). Finally, the width of the riparian buffer
zone was determined by including reserve zone and management
zone onto the depression zone. The results indicated
that depression area was 5,774 ha. The area and perimeter of
riparian buffer zone were 6,364 ha and 59 km, respectively.
It was found that hydroecological approach using geographical
information system technology can be successfully
implemented to provide maximum sustainable protection of
water and soil resources in riparian zones, especially in the
lake basins.
Keywords
Hydroecology; Soil conservation; Depression zone; Riparian buffer zone; Water quality
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