Perception of tools for assessing on-farm nutrient losses and mitigation options

10.26686/wgtn.17135945.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Maggie Rogers

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Land Use ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Land Use Models ◽

On Farm ◽

Degraded Water Quality

<p>This research focuses on the prominent issue of degraded water quality in New Zealand caused by the intensification of agricultural land use, resulting in increased levels of diffuse pollutants such as sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways (Duncan, 2017). Degraded water quality is a critical issue that needs to be addressed both socially and scientifically. It needs to be addressed socially as human behaviour is influencing this degradation, and the science is needed to further our understanding and implementation of the best mitigation solutions. The aim of this study was to evaluate how information surrounding potential nutrient mitigation measures provided by decision support tools is understood and interpreted by farmers facing tightening environmental regulations and a changing social outlook on environmental sustainability. To achieve this aim, the following activities were conducted: (i) A review of current theories and tools available to understand and encourage pro-environmental behaviour. (ii) A case study using the Land Utilisation Capability Indicator (LUCI) model to determine stakeholder engagement was carried out through interviews with 6 farmers in the Mangatarere Catchment. The review showed that while information alone does not drive behaviour change, it is an essential component that when used in collaboration with other methods and incentives, can be very successful (Kennedy, 2010; Mackenzie-Mohr, 2000; Stern, 2000). From this review a method that was identified as having huge potential in terms of managing water quality was the use of land use models alongside targeted on-farm advice (Bouraoui & Grizzetti, 2014). To understand the stakeholder perception and uptake of the information this method provides a case study was carried out using the LUCI model with 6 farmers in the Mangatarere Catchment. The results showed that LUCI proved to be a valuable tool for both the case study farmers and the wider farming community. Farmer feedback highlighted the importance of ensuring that information provided by such tools is communicated in a consolidated manner. This thesis shows that land use models such as LUCI have the potential to be a beneficial method of engaging stakeholders in prominent issues such as degrading water quality.</p>

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Influence of climate,geology and humans on spatial and temporal nutrient geochemistry in the subtropical Richmond River catchment, Australia

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf99025 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 235 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Lester J. McKee ◽

Bradley D. Eyre ◽

Shahadat Hossain ◽

Peter R. Pepperell

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Land Use ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Anthropogenic Impacts ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Point Sources ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Wet Season ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

River Catchment

Water quality was monitored on a spatial and temporal basis in the subtropical Richmond River catchment over two years. Nutrient concentrations varied seasonally in a complex manner with highest concentrations (maximum =3110 µg N L – 1 and 572 µg P L –1 ) associated with floods. However, median (444 µg N L – 1 and 55 µg P L – 1 ) concentrations were relatively low compared with other parts of the world. The forms of nitrogen and phosphorus in streams varied seasonally, with greater proportions of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus during the wet season. Minimum nutrient concentrations were found 2—3 months after flood discharge. With the onset of the dry season, concentration increases were attributed to point sources and low river discharge. There were statistically significant relationships between geology and water quality and nutrient concentrations increased downstream and were significantly related to population density and dairy farming. In spite of varying geology and naturally higher phosphorus in soils and rocks in parts of the catchment, anthropogenic impacts had the greatest effects on water quality in the Richmond River catchment. Rainfall quality also appeared to be related both spatially and seasonally to human activity. Although the responses of the subtropical Richmond River catchment to changes in land use are similar to those of temperate systems of North America and Europe, the seasonal patterns appear to be more complex and perhaps typical of subtropical catchments dominated by agricultural land use.

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Determination of optically inactive water quality variables using Landsat 8 data: A case study in Geshlagh reservoir affected by agricultural land use

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119134 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 247 ◽

pp. 119134 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Taleb Vakili ◽

Jamil Amanollahi

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Land Use ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Agricultural Land Use ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Water Quality Variables

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A cost-effectiveness analysis of water security and water quality: impacts of climate and land-use change on the River Thames system

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences ◽

10.1098/rsta.2012.0413 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 371 (2002) ◽

pp. 20120413 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

P. G. Whitehead ◽

J. Crossman ◽

B. B. Balana ◽

M. N. Futter ◽

S. Comber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Land Use ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Land Use Change ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Point Sources ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Mitigation And Adaptation ◽

River Thames

The catchment of the River Thames, the principal river system in southern England, provides the main water supply for London but is highly vulnerable to changes in climate, land use and population. The river is eutrophic with significant algal blooms with phosphorus assumed to be the primary chemical indicator of ecosystem health. In the Thames Basin, phosphorus is available from point sources such as wastewater treatment plants and from diffuse sources such as agriculture. In order to predict vulnerability to future change, the integrated catchments model for phosphorus (INCA-P) has been applied to the river basin and used to assess the cost-effectiveness of a range of mitigation and adaptation strategies. It is shown that scenarios of future climate and land-use change will exacerbate the water quality problems, but a range of mitigation measures can improve the situation. A cost-effectiveness study has been undertaken to compare the economic benefits of each mitigation measure and to assess the phosphorus reductions achieved. The most effective strategy is to reduce fertilizer use by 20% together with the treatment of effluent to a high standard. Such measures will reduce the instream phosphorus concentrations to close to the EU Water Framework Directive target for the Thames.

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Equitable Allocation of Blue and Green Water Footprints Based on Land-Use Types: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10103556 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 3556 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gang Liu ◽

Lu Shi ◽

Kevin Li

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Water Resources ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Optimal Allocation ◽

Water Footprint ◽

Agricultural Water ◽

Land Area ◽

Lexicographic Optimization ◽

The Impact

This paper develops a lexicographic optimization model to allocate agricultural and non-agricultural water footprints by using the land area as the influencing factor. An index known as the water-footprint-land density (WFLD) index is then put forward to assess the impact and equity of the resulting allocation scheme. Subsequently, the proposed model is applied to a case study allocating water resources for the 11 provinces and municipalities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB). The objective is to achieve equitable spatial allocation of water resources from a water footprint perspective. Based on the statistical data in 2013, this approach starts with a proper accounting for water footprints in the 11 YREB provinces. We then determined an optimal allocation of water footprints by using the proposed lexicographic optimization approach from a land area angle. Lastly, we analyzed how different types of land uses contribute to allocation equity and we discuss policy changes to implement the optimal allocation schemes in the YREB. Analytical results show that: (1) the optimized agricultural and non-agricultural water footprints decrease from the current levels for each province across the YREB, but this decrease shows a heterogeneous pattern; (2) the WFLD of 11 YREB provinces all decline after optimization with the largest decline in Shanghai and the smallest decline in Sichuan; and (3) the impact of agricultural land on the allocation of agricultural water footprints is mainly reflected in the land use structure of three land types including arable land, forest land, and grassland. The different land use structures in the upstream, midstream, and downstream regions lead to the spatial heterogeneity of the optimized agricultural water footprints in the three YREB segments; (4) In addition to the non-agricultural land area, different regional industrial structures are the main reason for the spatial heterogeneity of the optimized non-agricultural water footprints. Our water-footprint-based optimal water resources allocation scheme helps alleviate the water resources shortage pressure and achieve coordinated and balanced development in the YREB.

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Improving effectiveness of mitigation measures in EIA follow-up

Management of Environmental Quality An International Journal ◽

10.1108/meq-04-2014-0052 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 518-537 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo Gallardo ◽

Caio Pompeu Cavalhieri ◽

Sofia Julia Alves Macedo Campos ◽

Omar Yazbek Bitar

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Quality Control ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Water Quality Control ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Approach ◽

Phase Water

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of mitigation measures adopted in a scheme of EIA follow-up by examining their performance in reducing geo-environmental impacts in earthwork activities during the Rodoanel southern section construction in São Paulo, Brazil. This environment is fragile in terms of affected watersheds because the highway crosses two important reservoirs that supply most of the metropolitan water demand. Therefore, this research also aims at promoting water quality control. Design/methodology/approach – This study combines complementary sources as evidences in the literature and field checks, tests and monitoring. The methodology was supported by criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures in the case study approach. Findings – The EIA follow-up activities contributed to the maintenance of environmental conditions in the majority of the control points at the end of the construction phase. Water quality parameters were not statistically different before and during the construction of the highway. The choice and arrangement of mitigation measures were successful in ensuring water quality control by avoiding siltation. Practical implications – A robust scheme for designing and evaluating mitigation measures contributes to the improvement of their effectiveness and is pivotal to the success of the EIA follow-up. Originality/value – This case study serves as an example for extending EIA follow-up practice in special to the improvement of the design and evaluation of mitigation measures in similar contexts.

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