Abstract

Diffuse phosphorus (P) losses from arable land need to be reduced in a cost-efficient way, taking into account their temporal and spatial variability. This study, based on 16 farms across southern Sweden, examined possibilities for identifying critical source areas for P losses based on the combined results of high-resolution erosion modelling, independent risk assessments by farmers, soil survey and SWOT analysis performed by farmers. Statistically significant differences in dissolved P release were found between soil P test classes in the studied area, whereas soil textural classes and not P content governed potential mobilisation of soil particles and unreactive P. Spatial comparison of problem areas identified by farmers and modelled features showed that the modelled erosion pathways intersected 109 in a total of 128 (85%) observed problem areas. The study demonstrates the value in involving farmers in the identification of critical source areas in order to select and support implementation of effective countermeasures.

Keywords

Eutrophication; Farm; High-resolution; Phosphorus; Site-specific; Targeting

Published in

AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
2018, Volume: 47, number: 1, pages: 45-56

SLU Authors

• Djodjic, Faruk

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Collentine, Dennis

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Soil Science
Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-017-0935-5

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/86715