Sovell et al. conducted a study to asses the relationship between riparian management and stream quality along five southeastern Minnesota streams. The study was conducted during 1995 and 1996. Principal components analysis (PCA) of water chemistry, physical habitat, and biotic data indicated a local management effect. The ordinations separated continuous grazing from sites with rotational grazing, and sites with wood buffers from those with grass buffers or rotationally grazed areas. Fecal coliform and turbidity were consistently higher at continuously grazed sites in relation to rotationally grazed sites. Percent fines in the streambed were significantly higher at sites with wood buffers than grass and rotationally grazed areas, and canopy cover was similar at sites with wood and grass buffers. Benthic macroinvertebrate metrics were significant, but not consistent across grazing and riparian buffer management types. Fish density and abundance were related to riparian buffer type, but not grazing practices. These comparisons suggest further consideration and study of a combination of grass and wood riparian buffer strips as midwestern stream management options.
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