Vegetative Barriers (NRCS #601)

Applicable Systems

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About

Vegetative barriers are implemented when perennial vegetation is planted in narrow rows along contour slopes or areas prone to high water flows¹ ². Vegetative barriers can be planted in-field or at the edge-of-field³. Unlike other conservation buffer practices, vegetative barriers may form terraces or soil berms, which are created and maintained when fields are tilled. Vegetative barriers reduce erosion and trap sediment, though additional benefits are possible depending on species selection and site characteristics. Specific management considerations such as buffer length, number of rows, and gradient will depend on site characteristics and land manager goals⁴.

Key aspects and considerations:

Select stiff perennial vegetation (refer to the Vegetation Stiffness Index, or VSI).
During the first growing season, limit gaps between plants to 3 inches.
Select species based on local soil and climate, as well as growth and management characteristics. Ideal species will be low maintenance, easily established, and long-lived.
Avoid mowing to maintain the vegetation stiffness index.
Plant barriers either in-field or at edge-of-field.
Add vegetative barriers to existing strip cropping, filter strips, riparian forest buffers, or grassed waterways to increase effectiveness.

Benefits and Limitations

ACRE Category	Benefits	Limitations
Soil Health	Permanent vegetation reduces sheet, rill and ephemeral gully erosion by slowing runoff¹ ³. Enhances long-term soil health by maintaining permanent vegetation and perennial root systems⁵.	May require periodic maintenance or reshaping due to sediment accumulation.
Water Management	Distributes soil moisture uniformly by disrupting concentrated water flow. Improves water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient transport³ ⁶. Increases infiltration.	May increase ponding, and may require subsurface drains⁶. Extreme storm events may exceed the barrier's capacity.
Nutrient Management	Reduces nutrient loss caused by erosion. Improves nutrient retention within the field.	N/A
Agricultural Production	Depending on the species, vegetative barriers can supply feedstock or other products⁵. Improves long-term soil fertility and crop resilience.	Potentially competes with main crops for resources. The installation process may expose less productive soil. Vegetation may bring unwanted pests or wildlife.
Biodiversity and Wildlife	Additional vegetation increases plant species diversity. Increases beneficial insect diversity and abundance. Provides habitat for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. Increases landscape connectivity.	If poorly managed, may allow the establishment of invasive weeds.
GHG Emission	Perennial vegetation increases carbon uptake and storage relative to fallow ground⁷. Requires less management and fuel usage. Decreases GHG emissions compared to heavily fertilized and managed areas⁷. Promotes long-term soil organic carbon accumulation.	N/A
Economics	Compared to other terraces or diversions, vegetative barriers are less costly and take less land out of production. May provide feedstock for livestock, depending on species and goals⁵. Reduces long-term costs associated with erosion and sediment damage. May qualify for USDA conservation financial assistance programs.	Removes land from production, reducing income. Costs include establishment (site preparation, seeds, planting, time and labor) and ongoing maintenance (mowing, weed control, occasional re-establishment)³.

Impact on Agricultural Resilience

Vegetative barriers help mitigate the impacts of extreme rainfall by increasing infiltration, reducing runoff, and disrupting concentrated flows.
Vegetative barriers also reduce the speed of runoff, which results in sediment deposited upslope, which helps to reduce the steepness of the slope between barriers, making the land more resilient to future extreme rain events.

Regional Applicability

Vegetative barriers are applicable across the Midwest but are most needed in areas with sloped land, such as the Driftless Area of the Upper Midwest.
In the Midwest, the economic benefits of vegetative barriers may outweigh the costs, reducing the barriers to implementation. Past work in a Missouri watershed estimated the cost of a buffer at $62 per acre annually, while the annual benefit was estimated at $73 (estimate is based on CRP land rental rate and 50% cost share for installation)⁸.

Resources

Cooperative Extension & Outreach, University of Guam: Vegetative Barrier
University of Missouri Extension: Vegetative Barriers for Erosion Control
Colorado State University: Controlling Soil Erosion from Wind
Gulf Hypoxia and Local Water Quality Concerns Workshop Final Report: Buffers and Vegetative Filter Strips
The Morton Arboretum: Vegetation Barrier Toolkit for Schools and Communities
USDA-NRCS Technical Note: Selecting, Planting, and Managing Grasses for Vegetative Barriers
USDA-NRCS: Vegetative Barrier - Small Scale Solutions for Your Farm
Video. USDA-NRCS: Vegetative Barrier

References

USDA-NRCS (2021). Conservation Practice Standard Document, Vegetative Barrier, Code 601. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Vegetative_Barrier_601_NHCP_CPS_2020.pdf
USDA-NRCS (2021). Conservation Practice Overview, Vegetative Barrier, Code 601. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Vegetative_Barrier_601_NHCP_PO_2020.pdf
Helmers, M. J., Isenhart, T. M., Dosskey, M., Dabney, S. M., & Strock, J. S. (2008). Buffers and vegetative filter strips.
Gene, S. M., Hoekstra, P. F., Hannam, C., White, M., Truman, C., Hanson, M. L., & Prosser, R. S. (2019). The role of vegetated buffers in agriculture and their regulation across Canada and the United States. Journal of Environmental Management, 243, 12-21.
Bonner, I. J., Muth Jr, D. J., Koch, J. B., & Karlen, D. L. (2014). Modeled impacts of cover crops and vegetative barriers on corn stover availability and soil quality. BioEnergy Research, 7(2), 576-589.
Blanco-Canqui, H., Gantzer, C. J., Anderson, S. H., Alberts, E. E., & Thompson, A. L. (2004). Grass barrier and vegetative filter strip effectiveness in reducing runoff, sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus loss. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 68(5), 1670-1678.
Swan, A., Oldfield, E., & Toureene, C. (2025). Perennial Plantings and Climate Outcomes: Literature Review and Technical Guidance. Technical Advisory Network for Climate Smart Agricultural Practices. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15777153
Qiu, Z. (2003). A VSA-based strategy for placing conservation buffers in agricultural watersheds. Environmental Management, 32(3), 299-311.

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Vegetative Barriers photo 1 — Photo 1: Near Indianola, Iowa, vegetation is planted along the contours of a farm field, creating a terrace and slowing runoff.

Photo courtesy of Iowa NRCS.

Vegetative Barriers photo 2 — Photo 2: By planting stiff, dense vegetation, farmers protect their fields from erosion.

Photo courtesy of Iowa NRCS.