Information
Level 4 Data summaries and links to related documents and reports
Key findings
Gallagher’s Property
The grass buffer was most effective at trapping suspended sediment (46% reduction), while tree buffers were more effective at reducing surface runoff (8% reduction). Grass buffers were also more effective at reducing total nitrogen, total kjeldahl nitrogen, oxidised nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations (26%, 29%, 10% and 40% reduction, respectively) in runoff. In comparison, concentrations of total nitrogen, total kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorus increased after leaving the tree buffer.
Bedload sediment (>80%) and nutrient (25 and 65%) concentrations were greatly reduced by the grass buffer.
Dunne’s property
Dunne’s Moderate generally recorded the greatest losses on nutrients; however runoff increased after leaving the buffer. In particular, total phosphorus and total Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations in runoff reduced by 50% or greater. Dunne’s Extreme recorded losses for runoff and runoff nutrients; however nutrient losses were not as significant as those identified at Dunne’s Moderate. Similar sediment losses were recorded for both sites.
The Moderate and Extreme buffers were less effective at trapping bedload sediment and nutrients. Concentrations were often higher leaving the buffer than those derived from the crop.
Key tables and figures extracted from data, literature and miscellaneous publications