University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Ecorestoration of riparian forests for nonpoint source pollution control: Policy and ecological considerations in Illinois agroecosystem watersheds

Dickson, Bruce Cameron

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/19461

Description

Title
Ecorestoration of riparian forests for nonpoint source pollution control: Policy and ecological considerations in Illinois agroecosystem watersheds
Author(s)
Dickson, Bruce Cameron
Issue Date
1995
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Hopkins, Lewis D.
Department of Study
Urban and Regional Planning
Discipline
Urban Planning
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Agriculture, General
  • Economics, Agricultural
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Engineering, Environmental
  • Urban and Regional Planning
Language
eng
Abstract
  • The Central Corn Belt Plains Ecoregion of Central and Northern Illinois has a significant nonpoint source water quality problem that is not being successfully addressed by current agroenvironmental policy. Trend analysis showed that concentrations of nitrate, dissolved phosphorus, and total phosphorus were not reduced in thirteen watersheds between 1986 and 1992 despite implementation of the CRP program. Average stream nitrate concentration between 1977 and 1992 (7.2 mg/L) was well above levels expected for unimpacted prairie streams and frequently exceeded 10 mg/L. Regression analysis showed that average stream nitrate concentration was strongly related to land loadings of nitrogen fertilizer.
  • A notable reduction of nonpoint source pollutants to streams could be realized through new agroenvironmental policies based on the ecorestoration of riparian forests. Spatial analysis showed a low percentage of riparian forest coverage in the thirteen watersheds indicating a severely fragmented riparian ecosystem having significant restoration potential. Two ecorestoration policies based on ecosystem functional goals and specific criteria were characterized and compared. Riparian forest restoration has the potential to lower average nitrate concentration by nearly half if 55 percent of all eligible riparian acres currently in production were restored to a width of 25 m. However, the 25 m wide riparian forest would not develop into self-sustaining forest patches but function primarily as edge habitats. A 75 m riparian forest restoration would produce self-sustaining forest patches and supply greater ecological benefits than the 25 m width. Both policy options produce substantial benefits over costs but on a per acre basis the 25 m option is superior. Over a range of land rental rates ($90, \$120, $150/acre) modest benefits are realized on the average farm without including timber value and ecological benefits. Lastly, agroenvironmental policy can be based on ecosystem-level management strategies linked to specific ecosystem functional criteria.
Type of Resource
text
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/19461
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1995 Dickson, Bruce Cameron

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Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Urban and Regional Planning
Dissertations in Regional Planning