Implementation of Mitigation Measures to Reduce Phosphorus Losses: The Vestre Vansjø Pilot Catchment

Marianne Bechmann, Inga Greipsland and Anne Falk Øgaard
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Marianne Bechmann: NIBIO—Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Reseach, P.O. Box 115, 1431 Aas, Norway
Inga Greipsland: NIBIO—Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Reseach, P.O. Box 115, 1431 Aas, Norway
Anne Falk Øgaard: NIBIO—Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Reseach, P.O. Box 115, 1431 Aas, Norway

Agriculture, 2019, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: Diffuse phosphorus loss from agricultural fields is an important contributor to the eutrophication of waterbodies. The objective of this study was to evaluate a pilot project for the implementation of mitigation measures to reduce P losses. The pilot project is situated in southwestern Norway and, covers a 14-year period (2004–2018). It included data on the implementation of mitigation measures and water quality monitoring for six small catchments. The mitigation measures consisted of no tillage in autumn, reduced P fertilizer application, grassed buffer zones, and sedimentation ponds. Extra efforts were made to reduce diffuse P losses during the period from 2008 to 2010. The project comprised economic incentives, an information campaign, and farm visits. Data from 2004 and 2010 showed that the use of P fertilizer during this period decreased by 80% and the area of no-till in autumn increased in all six catchments and covered 100% of the area in three of the six catchments in 2010. However, with decreased economic incentives after 2010, the degree to which the mitigation measures were implemented was reversed; P-fertilization increased, and no-till in autumn decreased. No significant effects of mitigation measures on total P and suspended sediment concentrations were detected. We conclude that economic incentives are necessary for the comprehensive implementation of mitigation measures and but that it is not always possible to show the effect on water quality.

Keywords: agriculture; erosion; fertilizer; buffer; sedimentation pond; sewage; suspended sediments; water quality; Water Framework Directive (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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