An integrated modelling and multicriteria analysis approach to managing nitrate diffuse pollution: 1. Framework and...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Economics
• Water Resource Management

Background:

• Catchment management plans face challenges balancing agricultural demands with environmental protection.
• Trade-offs between agronomy and environmental pollution are common across diverse land uses within a catchment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an integrated modelling and multicriteria analysis (MCA) methodology for evaluating land use alternatives.
• To identify an 'ideal' compromise between economic return and environmental pollution at the catchment scale.
• To develop a site-specifically optimised land use scenario balancing nitrate pollution and agricultural gross margin.

Main Methods:

• Integrated modelling approach combined with multicriteria analysis (MCA).
• Land use optimisation to simultaneously minimise nitrate leaching and maximise agronomic gross margin.
• Site-specific evaluation of environmental and economic potentials across the catchment.

Main Results:

• The methodology successfully identifies an 'ideal' compromise between environmental pollution (nitrate leaching) and economic return (agronomic gross margin).
• A site-specifically optimised land use scenario was developed, demonstrating the practical application of the methodology.
• The approach facilitates informed decision-making for catchment management plans.

Conclusions:

• The presented methodology offers an effective tool for balancing competing land use objectives in catchment management.
• Optimising land use at the catchment scale can achieve significant reductions in environmental pollution while maintaining economic viability.
• Further discussion on the practical application and potential limitations of the methodology is provided.