Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Pages: 14-21

Journal: Wasserwirtschaft : Technik, Forschung, Praxis

Volume number: 109

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 0043-0978

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s35147-018-0268-8

Publisher: Springer Vieweg

Abstract: 
Many surface and groundwater water bodies are overloaded with nitrate. Conventional farming has been identified as the main source for diffuse nitrate input into surface waters. An alternative land management has the potential to reduce nitrate concentrations and loadings in the receiving waters. In this study, we investigated the effect of extensification and organic farming on nitrate losses using an eco-hydrological model on a river basin scale. After the model was constructed for the reference scenario and satisfactory model predictions for nitrate losses were calculated, scenario analyses were conducted. Results indicated that nitrate losses could be drastically reduced by app. 70%, if (i) the amount of applied nitrogen fertilizers was reduced by 50% or (ii) conventional farming was completely converted into organic farming. The study was conducted for the Warnow river basin in north-eastern Germany but results are transferable to other lowland watersheds.

Harvard Citation style: Bauwe, A. and Lennartz, B. (2019) Land management governs nitrate losses: a modelling study, Wasserwirtschaft : Technik, Forschung, Praxis, 109(4), pp. 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s35147-018-0268-8

APA Citation style: Bauwe, A., & Lennartz, B. (2019). Land management governs nitrate losses: a modelling study. Wasserwirtschaft : Technik, Forschung, Praxis. 109(4), 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s35147-018-0268-8