Impacts of land use/land cover on water quality: A contemporary review for researchers and policymakers

Abstract

Few factors are as important in determining water quality as land use/land cover (LULC). Many land use activities, including agriculture, urban development, mining, and commercial forestry, tend to be sources of diffuse pollution. By contrast, indigenous vegetation can act as a sink, thus providing some protection from diffuse anthropogenic contamination. Notwithstanding the large body of research demonstrating these facts, decision-makers require clear and accessible information to assist them in developing effective management plans that are fully cognisant of the manifold impacts of LULC on water resources. Reviewing the available literature, this article offers a critical overview of the typical impacts of LULC on water quality. An important strategy for managing water quality highlighted in this article is the maintenance of a sufficient amount of unfragmented natural vegetation, not only within riparian zones but also across catchment areas. However, knowledge gaps identified in this review indicate that further context-specific research is required to determine not only the types and minimum amount of vegetative cover required to protect water resources from diffuse pollution but also the potential impact of landscape fragmentation on the ability of natural vegetation to protect water resources. A critical discussion of these factors is therefore provided. HIGHLIGHTS Improper land use management can have profound impacts on water quality.; While most anthropogenic land use activities generate diffuse pollution, natural vegetation can protect water resources by acting as a sink and biofilter.; Maintaining sufficient areas of unfragmented natural vegetation in both riparian areas and across whole catchments is an important water quality management strategy.; Local research is essential for determining not only which types of vegetation will offer water resources the most efficacious protection, but also for estimating the extent required to offer adequate levels of protection.;

Keywords

• diffuse pollution
• integrated catchment management
• land cover
• land use
• water quality