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Managing material transfer and nutrient flow in an agricultural watershed
1Intercollege Program in Ecology and Dep. of Crop and Soil Sciences, The Pennsylvania State Univ., 116 ASI Building. University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Journal of Environmental Quality
|April 24, 2003
Summary
Place-based watershed management is challenged by farm material transfers. Strategic farm decisions, not just manure allocation, significantly impact nutrient balances and water quality.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Management
- Water Quality Protection
Background:
- Place-based resource management is promoted for water quality protection.
- Existing approaches may not fully account for complex agricultural systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine farm material transfers, nutrient balances (N and P), and influencing farmer decisions within a watershed.
- To evaluate the suitability of place-based management in this agricultural context.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring agricultural areas within a 740-ha watershed.
- Analyzing field data and conducting farmer interviews.
- Quantifying nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs and outputs.
Main Results:
- Three farms dominated N and P inputs/outputs (>80%).
- Hog feed and manure application were primary nutrient inputs.
- External manure application exceeded internal sources; strategic decisions had greater impact than tactical ones.
Conclusions:
- The interconnectedness of agricultural components challenges place-based management assumptions.
- Alternative approaches should consider agricultural production organization and strategic decision impacts on nutrient balances for water quality management.