A GIS-based technique for linking landscape characteristics to non-point source nitrogen export potential: implications for contributing areas management

Diana Mitsova and Xinhao Wang

Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 2010, vol. 53, issue 7, 863-882

Abstract: A Nitrate-N Leaching Index (NLI) is calculated and the results indicate that nitrogen loss in the study area occurs through both leaching and surface runoff. A non-linear regression model of trapping efficiency was combined with a first order decay model to examine the impact of soil characteristics, slope, vegetative cover, land use and distance to streams on the spatial pattern of non-point source nitrogen inputs to streams. The model evaluates the statistical significance of each landscape factor and provides an easy interpretation of the landscape delivery ratio of nitrogen based on a pixel-based characterisation of the watershed. The model was validated by comparing the distributions of the observed and estimated monthly nitrogen concentrations. The exploratory GIS-based method presented here can improve the understanding of the impact of landscape characteristics on nitrate-nitrogen contributing areas and therefore assist watershed management efforts.

Keywords: Nitrate Leaching Index; non-linear regression; Weibull distribution; N decay coefficients; Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2010.490052

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