April 2010 Article: “Water Quality Functions of a 15-Year-Old Riparian Forest Buffer System,” by J. Denis Newbold, Susan Herbert, Bernard W. Sweeney, Paul Kiry, and Stephen J. Alberts.
Figure from article
Long-term studies can have particular value in seeing effects which may not appear in shorter spans of time. This study in Pennsylvania found evidence that the effectiveness in removing nitrate increased approximately 10 years after the buffer in question was established, corresponding to the onset of rapid tree growth. Even over this relatively long term, however, the authors noted temporal variations in nitrate input fluxes and precipitation prevented a conclusive assessment of the role of tree growth.
When you think about it, a 15-year study is about a third of a way through a typical scientific career. It takes a rather unique and far-sighted program to carry on research like this.
[Please note: I have quoted and paraphrased freely from the article, but the interpretation is my own!]
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Tags: riparian ecology, water quality