Protecting Water Resources with Streamside Management Zones at Robinson Forest

Abstract

Streamside management zones (SMZ) are a common best management practice used to minimize impacts to water quality from forest harvesting. Information on the effectiveness of SMZ use in Kentucky is limited. Moreover, details on SMZ configuration (size, layout, canopy retention) is lacking. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of varying SMZ configurations on stream ecosystem function. Results indicated that the use of elevated stream crossings and maximizing the amount of undisturbed forest floor near streams via a combination of increased SMZ width and canopy retention was effective at minimizing water quality impacts from forest harvesting.