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An evaluation of the Chesapeake Bay management strategy to improve water quality in small agricultural watersheds.
Fox, R J; Fisher, T R; Gustafson, A B; Koontz, E L; Lepori-Bui, M; Kvalnes, K L; Bunnell-Young, D E; Gardner, J R; Lewis, J; Winsten, J R; Fisher, K A; Silaphone, K.
Afiliação
  • Fox RJ; Department of Environmental Science and Studies, Washington College, 300 Washington Ave., Chestertown, MD, 21620, USA; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA. Electronic address: rfox3@washcoll.edu.
  • Fisher TR; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA.
  • Gustafson AB; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA.
  • Koontz EL; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA.
  • Lepori-Bui M; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA.
  • Kvalnes KL; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA.
  • Bunnell-Young DE; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA.
  • Gardner JR; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA.
  • Lewis J; University of Maryland Extension, Denton, MD, 21629, USA.
  • Winsten JR; Winrock International, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA.
  • Fisher KA; Winrock International, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA.
  • Silaphone K; Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA; Department of Geography and Geosciences, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, 21801, USA.
J Environ Manage ; 299: 113478, 2021 Dec 01.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34488113
ABSTRACT
Chesapeake Bay water quality has been a concern since 1970. In rural areas, agriculture is the dominant N and P source, and the voluntary application of best management practices (BMPs) is the primary management tool. Here we test the hypothesis that the current management approach of primarily voluntary, untargeted BMP implementation is insufficient to create detectable, widespread reductions in N, P, and total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations in agricultural watersheds of the Choptank basin, a tributary of Chesapeake Bay. To test this hypothesis, we assessed BMP implementation and sampled water quality on participating farms, at intermediate streams within each watershed, and at watershed outlets of four watersheds from 2013 to 2014. We also present water quality data from 2003 to 2014 at the outlets of 12 additional agricultural and one forested watershed and survey-directed interviews of farmers. By the end of 2014, large numbers of BMPs, both structural and cultural, had been implemented. Of the 16 agricultural watersheds, 50% showed significant decreases in baseflow N, 37.5% showed no changes, and 12.5% showed increasing TN. Baseflow P significantly decreased at just one watershed, increased at one, and remained stable at 14. Stormflow N was similar to baseflow, but stormflow P was 5 times higher than baseflow. These data partially support our hypothesis. Surveys suggested farmers considered themselves responsible for the quality of water leaving their farms, but out-of-pocket cost was the major impediment to further BMP adoption. We suggest that greater outreach and more financial support for farmers to implement BMPs is required to increase the types and densities of BMPs needed to achieve regional water quality goals.
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Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Qualidade da Água / Baías Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2021 Tipo de documento: Article

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Qualidade da Água / Baías Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2021 Tipo de documento: Article