Journal article
Targeting land-use change for nitrate-nitrogen load reductions in an agricultural watershed
Journal of soil and water conservation, Vol.65(6), pp.342-352
11/01/2010
DOI: 10.2489/jswc.65.6.342
Abstract
The research was conducted as part of the USDA's Conservation Effects Assessment Project. The objective of the project was to evaluate the environmental effects of land-use changes, with a focus on understanding how the spatial distribution throughout a watershed influences their effectiveness. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) water quality model was applied to the Squaw Creek watershed, which covers 4,730 ha (11,683 ac) of prime agriculture land in southern Iowa. The model was calibrated (2000 to 2004) and validated (1996 to 1999) for overall watershed hydrology and for streamflow and nitrate loadings at the watershed outlet on an annual and monthly basis. Four scenarios for land-use change were evaluated including one scenario consistent with recent land-use changes and three scenarios focused on land-use change on highly erodible land areas, upper basin areas, and floodplain areas. Results for the Squaw Creek watershed suggested that nitrate losses were sensitive to land-use change. If land-use patterns were restored to 1990 conditions, nitrate loads may be reduced 7% to 47% in the watershed and subbasins, whereas converting row crops to grass in highly erodible land, upper basin, and floodplain areas would reduce nitrate loads by 47%, 16%, and 8%, respectively These SWAT model simulations can provide guidance on how to begin targeting land-use change for nitrate load reductions in agricultural watersheds.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Targeting land-use change for nitrate-nitrogen load reductions in an agricultural watershed
- Creators
- M. K. Jha - N Carolina Agr & Tech State Univ, Dept Civil Engn, Greensboro, NC 27411 USAK. E. Schilling - Iowa Geol Survey Bur, Iowa Dept Nat Resources, Iowa City, IA USAP. W. Gassman - Iowa State UniversityC. F. Wolter - Iowa Geol Survey Bur, Iowa Dept Nat Resources, Iowa City, IA USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of soil and water conservation, Vol.65(6), pp.342-352
- Publisher
- Soil Water Conservation Soc
- DOI
- 10.2489/jswc.65.6.342
- ISSN
- 0022-4561
- eISSN
- 1941-3300
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- 20045113003120 / USDA Cooperative State Research, Extension, and Education Service; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2010
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984383895302771
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