Designing ecological buffer zones for sustainable agriculture: A case study of Fuxian Lake

• Ecological buffer zones decreased agricultural runoff by 45-68% for nitrogen (N) and 52-75% for phosphorus (P). • Biodiversity enhanced by 30-40%, benefiting indigenous plants and wildlife. • GIS-based modeling enhanced buffer location, hence improving soil retention. • Adaptive policy proposals enhanced stakeholder involvement in conservation efforts. • Provides a scalable nature-based solution for sustainable agriculture. Ecological buffer zones (EBZs) are effective nature-based solutions for mitigating agricultural pollution, restoring biodiversity (BD), and enhancing freshwater ecosystem services. This study develops a comprehensive framework for designing and optimizing EBZs around Fuxian Lake, a pristine freshwater lake in Yunnan Province, China, facing escalating pressures from intensive agriculture and urbanization. We delineate spatially explicit EBZs that balance agricultural productivity with ecological resilience by integrating geospatial analysis, hydrological modeling, and ecological fieldwork. Key parameters, including slope, soil erodibility, land use, vegetation cover, and proximity to water bodies, were analyzed using GIS and remote sensing to identify priority areas for buffer implementation. Pilot EBZs demonstrated Nitrogen (N) retention of 45–68%, Phosphorus (P) retention of 52–75%, and increased native plant species richness by 30–40%. Stakeholder engagement with local farmers and policymakers revealed socio-economic barriers to adoption, such as land tenure conflicts and short-term yield concerns, which were addressed through participatory design and agro-ecological incentives. EBZ implementation resulted in an 8–12% increase in crop yields due to enhanced soil health and reduced water treatment costs by 18–25%, achieving 60% N and 52% P runoff reduction. This study provides a replicable model for EBZ design in similar agro-ecological landscapes, emphasizing adaptive management, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and policy integration to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 6 (Clean Water), and 15 (Life on Land).