Riparian catchments: A landscape approach to link uplands with riparian zones for agricultural and ecosystem conservation

The paper introduces a landscape approach called "riparian catchments" to connect upland agricultural management with riparian zone conservation for improved water quality and ecosystem health. It describes how the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) Version 3 toolbox partitions watersheds into manageable riparian segments using high-resolution soil, land use, and topographic data, facilitating precise prioritization and placement of conservation practices. The approach enables planners to integrate multiple conservation practices across flow paths, visualize hydrologic connectivity, and better target interventions such as riparian buffers and saturated buffers based on landscape-specific attributes and land use. Example applications demonstrate how this method enhances conservation planning by aligning existing and proposed practices, prioritizing nutrient reduction, and encouraging "watershed thinking" among stakeholders.