Nitrate Sensitive Areas: a study of large scale control of nitrate loss in England

. The Pilot Nitrate Sensitive Areas Scheme was set up in England in 1990 to test measures aimed at reducing nitrate losses from agricultural land. Ten groundwater catchments were chosen to typify the geology and farming of areas where nitrate concentrations in ed water were high. Voluntary and compe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Soil use and management 1999-12, Vol.15 (4), p.201-207
Main Authors: Lord, E.I., Johnson, P.A., Archer, J.R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
agricultural land
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Applied sciences
Biological and medical sciences
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
England
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Groundwaters
Hydrogeology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
losses from soil
Natural water pollution
Nitrates
Pollution
pollution control
Soil and water pollution
Soil science
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:. The Pilot Nitrate Sensitive Areas Scheme was set up in England in 1990 to test measures aimed at reducing nitrate losses from agricultural land. Ten groundwater catchments were chosen to typify the geology and farming of areas where nitrate concentrations in ed water were high. Voluntary and compensated controls on farming, based on recent research, were introduced. Scheme membership was for 5 years from 1990 or 1991, and 86% of the agricultural land entered the Scheme. On all farms entering the Scheme, manure and fertilizer use were restricted and green cover crops were required over winter (Basic Scheme). Additional payments were available for conversion of arable land to zero or low‐input grassland (Premium Scheme). Intensive pig and poultry farmers were assisted with the costs of transporting manure for spreading over a wider area. The most effective changes were improved management of livestock manures, especially of the very large local quantities from housed pig or poultry units; conversion of arable land to low‐input grassland; and use of cover crops. There were no indications of reduced crop yields but some requirements increased costs and management complexities. Estimates based on both model calculations and measurements indicated that nitrate losses from agricultural land decreased by about 30%, with considerable variation between areas.
ISSN:0266-0032
1475-2743
DOI:10.1111/j.1475-2743.1999.tb00089.x