Question

How can buffer strips have a positive impact on waterways?
short paragraph

Answer 1

Buffer strips — bands of vegetation planted between cropland or developed areas and streams — protect waterways by trapping and filtering stormwater runoff. Roots and plant cover slow water flow, reduce erosion and sediment entering channels, and take up excess nutrients and pollutants before they reach the water. They also stabilize banks, provide shade to lower water temperatures, and create habitat for wildlife, all of which improve water quality and ecosystem health.