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Title: Compilation of measured nutrient load data for agricultural land uses in the United States

Author
item Harmel, Daren
item POTTER, STEVE - BLACKLAND RES & EXT CTR
item CASEBOLT, PAMELA - BLACKLAND RES & EXT CTR
item RECKHOW, KEN - DUKE UNIVERSITY
item Rossi, Colleen
item Haney, Richard

Submitted to: Journal of the American Water Resources Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2005
Publication Date: 10/15/2006
Citation: Harmel, R.D., Potter, S., Casebolt, P., Reckhow, K., Green, C.H., Haney, R.L. 2006. Compilation of measured nutrient load data for agricultural land uses in the United States. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 42(5):1163-1178.

Interpretive Summary: A primary focus of many water quality protection programs is the prevention of excessive nutrient loading because of the possible effects such as excessive algal growth and decreased water qualtiy. A necessary component within these programs is nutrient loss information for various land management activities. Determination of nutrient transport to rivers and lakes depends on measured data because even values estimated by models, regional relationships, literature values, and professional judgment, are based on or evaluated with measured data. The primary objective of this study was to compile measured annual nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) load data representing transport from agricultural fields. This database expands on previous work, which formed an excellent knowledge base on nutrient loss. Only measured annual N and P load data published in scientific journals are included. Other criteria for inclusion are: watershed size (field- or farm-scale, minimum 0.009 ha), land use (single land use, either cultivated agriculture or pasture/rangeland/hay), natural rainfall (not rainfall simulation), and time-frame (at least one year). Annual N and P load data from 40 studies resulted in a 163 record database representing more than 1100 watershed years. Basic descriptive statistics in relation to N and P loads are presented for tillage, conservation practices, fertilizer application, soil texture, watershed size, and land use (crop type). This publicly available database provides a compilation of measured nutrient load data and corresponding watershed characteristics for a majority of the studies available for agricultural land uses. It provides readily accessible, easily queried information and establishes a platform allowing input of additional data tailored to user needs.

Technical Abstract: A primary focus of many water quality protection programs is the prevention of excessive nutrient loading and its resulting impacts of accelerated eutrophication and degraded aquatic habitat. A necessary component within these programs is nutrient loss information for various land management activities. Quantification of nutrient transport to receiving waters depends on measured data, as even estimated values (model outputs, regional relationships, literature values, and professional judgment) are based on or evaluated with measured data. The primary objective of this study was to compile measured annual nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) load data representing field-scale transport from agricultural land uses. This data compilation expands on previous work, which formed an excellent knowledge base on nutrient export coefficients. Only measured annual N and P load data published in peer-reviewed studies are included. Other criteria for inclusion are: spatial scale (field- or farm-scale, minimum 0.009 ha), land use (homogeneous, either cultivated agriculture or pasture/rangeland/hay), natural rainfall (not rainfall simulation), and temporal scale (at least one year). Annual N and P load data from 40 publications resulted in a 163 record database representing more than 1100 watershed years. Basic descriptive statistics in relation to N and P loads are presented for tillage, conservation practices, fertilizer application, soil texture, watershed size, and land use (crop type). This publicly available database provides a compilation of measured nutrient load data and corresponding watershed characteristics for a majority of the studies available for agricultural land uses. It provides readily accessible, easily queried information and establishes a platform allowing input of additional data tailored to user needs.