| Title | Assessing the effect of BMPs in reducing nutrients and sediment loads in a Mediterranean basin |
| Abstract | Tillages and the inappropriate use of mineral fertilizers are the main drivers of diffuse pollution and soil erosion. The European Green Deal (EUGD) and the "Farm to Fork" strategy target to re-establish the natural functions of ground and surface soil by 2030. Mitigation measures, known as Best Management Practices (BMPs), should be adopted in EU Member States' management programs to achieve the policies' objectives.
In this work, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was set up in the Carapelle basin (Apulia, Italy) in order to assess the impact of soil erosion-oriented BMPs in reducing nutrient loads. Moreover, their economic convenience was evaluated for both the public and the private sector. Five BMPs scenarios were simulated with the SWAT model within the high-risk erosion areas: Contour farming (CF), no-tillage (NT), reforestation (RF), and two additional scenarios, including 20% reduction of fertilizers in CF and NT, (CFR) and (NTR), following the Farm to Fork strategy. With the current land management, total nitrogen (TN) was ~49 kg ha-1y-1, while total phosphorous (TP) was ~0.044 kg ha-1y-1. NT and CT showed an increment of N-NO3 load in both surface runoff and leaching. Contrarily, RF, CFR and NTR showed a reduction of N-NO3 losses. In particular, CFR and NTR abated about the 20% of surface runoff and leached N-NO3 loads.
From the economical point of view, results showed that BMP implementation requires important investments (public and private). RF was profitable in steep slopes areas while CFR and NTR were the best solutions in hilly and flat areas. This study provides fundamental insights for decision-making for agriculture and watershed management. |
| Source | International SWAT Conference 2022, Prague, 11-15, July 2022 |
| Keywords | BMPMediterranean watershedmodellng |
| Year | 2022 |
| Type | Abstract in atti di convegno |
| Authors | Ricci G.F., D'ambrosio E., De Girolamo A.M., Gentile F. |
| Text | 477526 2022 BMP Mediterranean watershed modellng Assessing the effect of BMPs in reducing nutrients and sediment loads in a Mediterranean basin Ricci G.F., D ambrosio E., De Girolamo A.M., Gentile F. UNIBA, UNIBA, IRSA CNR, UNIBA Published version https //swatconference.tamu.edu/#/book of abstracts/2022 prague International SWAT Conference 2022 Prague 11 15, July 2022 Internazionale Contributo Tillages and the inappropriate use of mineral fertilizers are the main drivers of diffuse pollution and soil erosion. The European Green Deal EUGD and the Farm to Fork strategy target to re establish the natural functions of ground and surface soil by 2030. Mitigation measures, known as Best Management Practices BMPs , should be adopted in EU Member States management programs to achieve the policies objectives. In this work, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool SWAT was set up in the Carapelle basin Apulia, Italy in order to assess the impact of soil erosion oriented BMPs in reducing nutrient loads. Moreover, their economic convenience was evaluated for both the public and the private sector. Five BMPs scenarios were simulated with the SWAT model within the high risk erosion areas Contour farming CF , no tillage NT , reforestation RF , and two additional scenarios, including 20% reduction of fertilizers in CF and NT, CFR and NTR , following the Farm to Fork strategy. With the current land management, total nitrogen TN was 49 kg ha 1y 1, while total phosphorous TP was 0.044 kg ha 1y 1. NT and CT showed an increment of N NO3 load in both surface runoff and leaching. Contrarily, RF, CFR and NTR showed a reduction of N NO3 losses. In particular, CFR and NTR abated about the 20% of surface runoff and leached N NO3 loads. From the economical point of view, results showed that BMP implementation requires important investments public and private . RF was profitable in steep slopes areas while CFR and NTR were the best solutions in hilly and flat areas. This study provides fundamental insights for decision making for agriculture and watershed management. Abstract in atti di convegno annamaria.degirolamo DE GIROLAMO ANNA MARIA |
