The PNtrap Project: Using trees and woody shrubs to intercept excess nutrient in farm and forestry runoff
Creators: name: Collier, Marcus J.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2004
Subjects: Nature-based solutions
Nutrient runoff
Phosphorous
Nitrogen
Biomass
Connecting Nature

description: Water protection has long been a cornerstone of EU environmental policy. It is the sector with the most comprehensive coverage in EU environmental regulations (Kallis &amp; Butler 2001). In some European countries such as the Netherlands, France, Sweden and Italy, national and local governments have implemented substantial programmes aimed at combating excessive nutrient loss to watercourses from agricultural, silvicultural and waste treatment activities. It is generally accepted that agricultural operations contribute, in a significant manner, to increased nitrogen and phosphorous loss to water catchments and result in environmentally unacceptable occurrences such as eutrophication and algal blooms. The increase in N and P loading may be dealt with in a number of ways, including a reduction of input or better fertiliser management. However there remains two problems. One is the perseverance of high fertility in the catchment long after regulation or cessation of input and the other is the potential for lower yields as a result of policy change. Water catchment nutrient management is poorly developed in Ireland and runoff nutrient entering watercourses is increasing (Tunney <em>et al</em> 2001). This has a serious and detrimental effect on water quality as well as ecological processes. It has been demonstrated that many trees have the ability to intercept and absorb large volumes of nutrients (Hefting &amp; de Klein 1998). Buffer plantations of, often, willow (<em>Salix</em> spp.) and other species may be established in order to effectively and efficiently intercept surface runoff of nitrate (N) and phosphate (P). In addition, such buffer plantations could themselves produce an annual crop requiring little management and low-priced technology to harvest. Yet, the science behind the application has not been established in Ireland. Hefting, M.M. &amp; de Klein, J.J.M, (1998) Nitrogen removal in buffer strips along a lowland stream in the Netherlands: a pilot study. <em>Environmental Pollution</em>, <strong>102</strong>, 521 – 26. Kallis, G. &amp; Butler, D. (2001) The EU water framework directive: measures and implications. <em>Water Policy</em>, <strong>3</strong>, 125 – 42. Tunney, H., Coulter, B., Daly, K., Kurz, I., Coxon, C., Jeffery, D., Mills, Kiely, G. &amp; Morgan, G. (2000) Quantification of Phosphorus (P) Loss from Soil P to Water: Synthesis Report. <em>EPA</em>, Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford. <strong>If you have any difficulty accessing this document, or you would like to know more about the Connecting Nature project, please email marcus.collier@tcd.ie.</strong>
description: Suggested citation: Collier, Marcus J.. (2004) The PNtrap Project: Using trees and woody shrubs to intercept excess nutrient in farm and forestry runoff. Poster presented at: The 7th International Conference on Diffuse Pollution and Basin Management, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, 17th - 22nd August. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3923778.