THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BUFFER ZONES IN CONIFER-AFFORESTED CATCHMENTS

This paper reports upon a study to determine whether buffer strips cou ld improve the quality of soil-water draining from conifer-afforested slopes. Three sites in the Monachyle Glen catchment in the Trossachs ( West Central Scotland) were sampled and several chemical indices were determined. Buffer strips engendered some variable and qualified impro vements in soil-water concentrations of some ions, although the improv ement was accompanied by the anticipated loss of bases. Improvements i n soil-water quality were related to soil characteristics - soils cont aining organic matter being more effective than mineral soils.