Journal article
Multipurpose Oxbows as a Nitrate Export Reduction Practice in the Agricultural Midwest
Agricultural & environmental letters, Vol.4(1), pp.1-5
2019
DOI: 10.2134/ael2019.09.0035
Abstract
Nutrient export from the agricultural US Midwest influences streams and rivers and contributes to the development of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Oxbows are natural waterbodies formed when a river cuts off a meander loop as it migrates within its floodplain. Creation of multipurpose oxbows by restoration of former oxbows can potentially reduce export of nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate) from agricultural land as well as provide important habitat for many species, including the endangered Topeka shiner. Recent studies of nitrate export reduction by oxbows in Iowa are encouraging, demonstrating a 45% reduction in nitrate export of water entering oxbows from subsurface tiles compared with water discharged to the adjacent stream. Oxbow restorations are as effective as several other nutrient reduction practices, are relatively inexpensive, last for decades if not centuries, remove little or no land from agricultural production, and provide significant ecosystem services. Multipurpose oxbows are a promising new best management practice for reducing nitrate export from agricultural lands.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Multipurpose Oxbows as a Nitrate Export Reduction Practice in the Agricultural Midwest
- Creators
- Keith E. Schilling - Iowa Geological SurveyUniv. of IowaIowa CityIAKaren Wilke - The Nature ConservancyClay L. Pierce - Iowa State UniversityKeegan Kult - National Water Supply and Drainage BoardAleshia Kenny - United States Fish and Wildlife Service
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Agricultural & environmental letters, Vol.4(1), pp.1-5
- DOI
- 10.2134/ael2019.09.0035
- ISSN
- 2471-9625
- eISSN
- 2471-9625
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 5
- Grant note
- 69-6114-14-008 / Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) C6-72746-68 / Iowa Nutrient Research Center Sand County Foundation
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2019
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984383917502771
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