Integrating local knowledge and biophysical modeling to assess nitrate losses from cropping systems in drinking water protection areas. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dupas, Rémi; Parnaudeau, Virginie; Reau, Raymond; Jeuffroy, Marie-Hélène; Durand, Patrick; Gascuel-Odoux, Chantal
• Is Part Of: Environmental modelling & software. Volume 69(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Cropping system -- Landscape agronomy -- Nitrate leaching -- Decision support system -- Participatory processes -- Water protection area; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Digital computer simulation -- Periodicals; Computer software -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Computer Simulation -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Écologie -- Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Simulation par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Logiciels -- Périodiques; Computer software; Digital computer simulation; Ecology -- Computer simulation; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70015118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.03.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-8152

Abstract

Abstract: Addressing the issue of agricultural pollution in water protection areas (WPA) requires assessing the impact of agricultural activities at regional scales. However, current water quality modeling studies often neglect the agronomic concept of a cropping system and interactions with soils. This paper presents a participatory assessment framework involving local experts in building a shared diagnosis of nitrate losses from cropping systems in a WPA. It includes a co-designed typology of landscape units and participatory assessment of nitrate losses with the modeling software Syst'N. Results show that characteristics of cropping systems depended on soils and that nitrate losses were highest in shallow soils. Intercrop periods were identified as critical periods for nitrate leaching, which demonstrates the importance of considering pluri-annual crop rotations rather than individual crops. The framework is generic for a modeling approach based on the involvement of local experts, who define their functional system in an agronomically sound way. Highlights: Participatory assessment of nitrate losses from cropping systems at a regional scale. User-friendly agronomic modeling software to facilitate discussion with participants. Characteristics of cropping systems depend on soil types. Predicted nitrate losses result from interactions between cropping systems and soils.