Definition:
Buffer strips are areas, or more precisely, strips of permanent vegetation on farmland. Buffer strips are useful because they can help protect water quality and control erosion on an organic farm.
Buffer strips also help protect any wildlife that may live in surrounding crop fields, which in turn helps protect the biodiversity Buffer strips are called such, because they're almost always planted along the edge or the contour of a field or farmland.
Types of buffers vary and include filter strips, field borders, grassed waterways, field windbreaks, shelter belts, contour grass strips and riparian buffers. The Conservation Commission of the Town of Woodstock offers a good description of the various buffer strips available to use.
Also Known As: conservation buffers
