1. Model-based assessment of shading effect by riparian vegetation on river water quality
- Author
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Ghermandi, Andrea, Vandenberghe, Veronique, Benedetti, Lorenzo, Bauwens, Willy, and Vanrolleghem, Peter A.
- Subjects
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WATER quality , *RIVERS , *RIPARIAN areas , *VEGETATION management - Abstract
Abstract: Shading by riparian vegetation affects incident solar radiation and water temperature in small- and moderate-size streams, and is thus an important component in the influence of forested riparian buffers on streams. The water quality effects of riparian shading are largely unknown. A simulation study was carried out to evaluate the effect of shading on six water quality variables in a moderate-size Belgian river stretch. A dynamic modelling approach making use of the River Water Quality Model No. 1 was chosen to represent the system. The scenarios developed indicate that shading may be an effective tool in controlling stream eutrophication (44% reduction in phytoplankton productivity in the simulated stretch) but has a limited effect on dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, nitrates, ammonium nitrogen, and phosphates. Results suggest that shading can effectively be implemented as a direct management strategy to improve water quality conditions in small and moderate-size watercourses that are exposed to excessive algal growth during summer periods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2009
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