buffer strip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "buffer strip" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in environmental or agricultural contexts to refer to a strip of vegetation or land that serves as a barrier to protect water bodies from runoff or pollution. Example: "Farmers are encouraged to plant a buffer strip along the riverbank to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Israelis are reportedly willing to offer Syria additional territory elsewhere in exchange for a shoreline buffer strip, but Damascus has shown no interest in such a swap.

The New York Times

The federal government took over the rest of the buffer strip along the Wall, but some owners bought bits adjoining their plots cheaply.

The Economist

The guerrillas are fighting to oust Israel from a nine-mile-wide zone in southern Lebanon that the Israelis have maintained as a buffer strip to prevent attacks across their northern border.

The New York Times

StarLink's inventor, Aventis Crop-Science, a subsidiary of Aventis S.A. of France, and the seed companies that sold StarLink varieties say they told farmers that the corn had not been approved for food use and that they should keep a 660-foot buffer strip to prevent StarLink from spreading its genes to other corn during pollination.

The New York Times

The Yugoslav Army commander in the Presevo Valley of southern Serbia said guerrillas had quit the village, retreating into a NATO-drawn buffer strip around Kosovo after a swift Serbian tank and infantry offensive sought to stamp out the threat of a new Balkan war.

The New York Times

Two treatments (with and without a cornstalk buffer strip) were tested in the following four runs: 1) without cornstalk buffer strip, 2) with cornstalk buffer strip in the third rain event, 3) with cornstalk buffer strip in the second rain event, 4) with continuous cornstalk buffer strip in all three successive rainfall events.

CATENA

In treatments with buffer, a 1 m-width cornstalk buffer strip was applied.

CATENA

Results indicate that the optimal buffer strip width is 30 m for the Shihmen reservoir watershed.

International Journal of Sediment Research

The location and design of a buffer strip can influence its pollutant-trapping efficiency.

International Journal of Sediment Research

Cropping, tillage practices and vegetative buffer strip installation affect losses of dissolved organic carbon (DOC).

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Cornstalk buffer strip also increased the critical hydrodynamic forces required for the initiation of soil erosion.

CATENA

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about environmental conservation, specify the width and composition of the "buffer strip" to enhance clarity and provide valuable details.

Common error

Avoid using "buffer strip" generically; always clarify its intended function, such as erosion control, pollution filtration, or habitat preservation, to ensure the reader understands its specific role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "buffer strip" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in sentences. It refers to a specific type of area designed for protection or separation, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "buffer strip" is a common noun phrase primarily used in scientific and news contexts to describe a protective area, often vegetated, designed to mitigate environmental impacts. Ludwig AI correctly identifies its grammatical correctness and typical usage. When using this phrase, consider specifying its purpose and composition for enhanced clarity. Related terms include "buffer zone" and "riparian buffer", each with subtle differences in meaning. Remember to avoid generic usage and clarify the intended function of the "buffer strip" in your writing. Given its prevalence in formal and scientific discourse, maintain a neutral to formal tone when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

buffer zone

Replaces "strip" with "zone", implying a broader, less defined area.

vegetative buffer

Emphasizes the use of vegetation as the buffering element.

riparian buffer

Specifically refers to a buffer along a waterway.

conservation buffer

Highlights the conservation aspect of the buffer.

filter strip

Focuses on the filtering function of the strip.

set-aside area

Describes land specifically designated for non-agricultural purposes.

protective barrier

Emphasizes the barrier function of the strip.

safety margin

Suggests a margin of safety or error, offering a degree of protection.

isolation zone

Implies a separation to prevent contamination or conflict.

exclusion zone

Signifies an area where access is prohibited.

FAQs

How is a "buffer strip" typically used in environmental contexts?

A "buffer strip" is commonly employed as a vegetated area near water bodies or agricultural fields to reduce erosion, filter pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat.

What are the key benefits of implementing "buffer strips" in agriculture?

"Buffer strips" in agriculture help prevent soil erosion, reduce nutrient runoff into waterways, and enhance biodiversity by providing habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife.

What's the difference between a "buffer strip" and a "buffer zone"?

While both terms denote a separating area, a "buffer strip" often implies a narrower, linear feature, whereas a "buffer zone" can refer to a larger, less defined area.

What can I say instead of "buffer strip" to describe a vegetated area along a river?

Alternatives include "riparian buffer", streamside management zone, or "vegetative buffer", depending on the specific context and emphasis.