Database

Maintain decomposing wood in water buffer strips

Habitat	Function	Type of work
Water bodies	Living environment	Establishment of riparian buffer strips

To preserve biodiversity and ensure ecological connectivity, buffer strips are established and maintained along natural water bodies. The recommended width of a water body buffer strip is an average of 5 meters, with an optimal range of 1-10 meters.

Description of the action

Preserve standing deadwood, stumps, fallen wood, and retention trees in buffer strips along water bodies. Stumps can be created through stump-cutting. Buffer strips along water bodies can also be formed with well-developed grassland turf.

Why?

In water body buffer strips, it is advisable to leave low trees (e.g., bird cherry, grey alder) and shrubs, as they improve bank stability. The buffer strip provides habitats and movement corridors for birds and mammals and also supports growing spaces for plants, fungi, and lichens.