Simulating the Effects of Behavioral and Physical Heterogeneity on Nonpoint Source Pollution

Authors:
Lourdes ArruetaDouglas Jackson-SmithMargaret Kalcic
Owners: Lourdes Arrueta
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Created: Feb 28, 2023 at 7:22 p.m.
Last updated: Jul 18, 2023 at 2:57 p.m.
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Abstract

To increase the effectiveness of conservation programs focused on reducing agricultural nutrient runoff and targeting management interventions, some have called for greater attention to the role of diversity in both management and physical context. To examine the independent and interactive effects of behavioral and physical heterogeneity on phosphorus loads, a sensitivity analysis was conducted using six different assumptions about distributions of phosphorus fertilizer application rates and soil test phosphorus (STP) levels for hydrologic response units in a SWAT model for the Maumee River Watershed. Results indicated that changing assumptions about behavior and STP levels can significantly affect estimated dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) loads and the level of disproportionality, which is a measure of the unequal distribution of pollutant loading. Placing the highest fertilizer application rates on fields with the most excessive STP produced 14% greater estimated DRP load and higher levels of disproportionality compared to a baseline model, where homogeneity in farmer fertilizer behavior and STP was assumed. In contrast, placing the lowest fertilizer application rates on the fields with the most excessive STP led to estimated DRP loads and level of disproportionality that were similar to the baseline model. Results from this analysis suggest that simplistic or uniform assumptions about behavior or STP levels may mask serious environmental risks in agricultural watershed models.

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Coverage

Spatial

Coordinate System/Geographic Projection:
WGS 84 EPSG:4326
Coordinate Units:
Decimal degrees
Place/Area Name:
Maumee River Watershed, Ohio USA
North Latitude
41.9677°
East Longitude
-83.3972°
South Latitude
40.8803°
West Longitude
-85.4297°
Leaflet Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

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How to Cite

Arrueta, L., D. Jackson-Smith, M. Kalcic (2023). Simulating the Effects of Behavioral and Physical Heterogeneity on Nonpoint Source Pollution, HydroShare, http://www.hydroshare.org/resource/a1fc621a594a4916886ad04772f884df

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