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Kumblad L, Petersson M, Aronsson H, Dinnétz P, Norberg L, Winqvist C, Rydin E, Hammer M. Managing multi-functional peri-urban landscapes: Impacts of horse-keeping on water quality. AMBIO 2024; 53:452-469. [PMID: 37973703 PMCID: PMC10837409 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01955-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Eutrophication assessments in water management to quantify nutrient loads and identify mitigating measures seldom include the contribution from horse facilities. This may be due to lack of appropriate methods, limited resources, or the belief that the impact from horses is insignificant. However, the recreational horse sector is growing, predominantly in multi-functional peri-urban landscapes. We applied an ecosystem management approach to quantify nutrient loads from horse facilities in the Stockholm Region, Sweden. We found that horses increased the total loads with 30-40% P and 20-45% N, with average area-specific loads of 1.2 kg P and 7.6 kg N ha-1 year-1. Identified local risk factors included manure management practices, trampling severity, soil condition and closeness to water. Comparisons of assessment methods showed that literature standard values of area-specific loads and water runoff may be sufficient at the catchment level, but in small and more complex catchments, measurements and local knowledge are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Kumblad
- Baltic Sea Center, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mona Petersson
- School of Natural Science, Technology, and Environmental Studies, Department of Sustainability, Environment, and Global Development, Södertörn University, 141 89, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Helena Aronsson
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7014, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrik Dinnétz
- School of Natural Science, Technology, and Environmental Studies, Department of Sustainability, Environment, and Global Development, Södertörn University, 141 89, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lisbet Norberg
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7014, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Emil Rydin
- Baltic Sea Center, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Monica Hammer
- School of Natural Science, Technology, and Environmental Studies, Department of Sustainability, Environment, and Global Development, Södertörn University, 141 89, Huddinge, Sweden
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Iho A, Valve H, Ekholm P, Uusitalo R, Lehtoranta J, Soinne H, Salminen J. Efficient protection of the Baltic Sea needs a revision of phosphorus metric. AMBIO 2023; 52:1389-1399. [PMID: 37036584 PMCID: PMC10271980 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01851-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea is driven by phosphorus and nitrogen. While the anthropogenic point source loads of both nutrients have decreased markedly, further reductions are needed. This is true particularly for phosphorus, as highlighted by its stringent abatement targets in HELCOM's Baltic Sea Action Plan. To meet the targets, more results need to be achieved in non-point source abatement, specifically from agricultural sources. The growing pressure for phosphorus abatement from agriculture may lead to environmentally and economically inefficient outcomes unless we account for the variability in how different forms of phosphorus respond to abatement measures, and how these forms contribute to eutrophication. The precautionary and efficiency improving way to advance policies is to either replace or supplement the Total Phosphorus metric with a metric more accurate in reflecting the biologically available phosphorus. This policy fix becomes more important as the relative share of agricultural emissions of total pollution increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Iho
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Helena Valve
- Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petri Ekholm
- Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Risto Uusitalo
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouni Lehtoranta
- Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Helena Soinne
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jani Salminen
- Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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Plunge S, Gudas M, Povilaitis A, Piniewski M. Evaluation of the costs of agricultural diffuse water pollution abatement in the context of Lithuania's water protection goals and climate change. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 71:755-772. [PMID: 36369297 PMCID: PMC10017570 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-022-01745-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating the scale and costs of an environmentally and economically optimal set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for agricultural pollution abatement in Lithuania in order to reach water protection goals in both inland and marine waters by distributing BMPs optimally in space, while taking climate change impacts into consideration. The assessment of BMPs impact involved the use of the SWAT model by applying two climate change representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and two time horizons (mid-century and end-century), as well as five BMPs (arable land conversion to grasslands, reduced fertilization, no-till farming, catch-crops, and stubble fields throughout winter). The optimization of the set of BMPs employed a genetic algorithm. The results suggest that the need for BMPs application will increase from 52% of agricultural areas in the historical period up to 65% by the end of century in the RCP8.5 scenario. This means less arable land could actually be used for crop production in the future if water protection targets are met. The high costs for reaching water targets would rise even more, i.e. by 173% for RCP4.5, and by 220% for the RCP8.5 scenario, reaching approximately 200 million euros/year. In such a context, the BMP optimization approach is essential for significant reduction of the costs. Winter cover crops and reduced fertilization show the best effectiveness and cost balance, and will therefore be essential in pursuing water protection targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svajunas Plunge
- Department of Hydrology, Meteorology and Water Resources, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska st. 159, Warsaw, 02-776, Poland.
- Institute of Water Resources Engineering, Vytautas Magnus University, Universiteto st. 10, Kaunas district, Akademija, LT-53361, Lithuania.
| | - Mindaugas Gudas
- Hydrographical Network Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Juozapaviciaus st. 9, Vilnius, LT-09311, Lithuania
| | - Arvydas Povilaitis
- Institute of Water Resources Engineering, Vytautas Magnus University, Universiteto st. 10, Kaunas district, Akademija, LT-53361, Lithuania
| | - Mikołaj Piniewski
- Department of Hydrology, Meteorology and Water Resources, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska st. 159, Warsaw, 02-776, Poland
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Brady MV, Andersen MS, Andersson A, Kilis E, Saarela SR, Hvarregaard Thorsøe M. Strengthening the policy framework to resolve lax implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan for agriculture. AMBIO 2022; 51:69-83. [PMID: 34145560 PMCID: PMC8651863 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01573-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In this perspective article, we provide recommendations for strengthening the policy framework for protecting the Baltic Sea from agricultural nutrient pollution. The most striking weakness is the lax implementation of prescribed abatement measures, particularly concerning manure management, in most countries. Institutions of the EU should also be leveraged for achieving Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) goals. In contrast to the Helsinki Convention, the European Union has economic, political and legal mandates to further implementation and compliance. Equally important is the need for strengthening of local institutions, particularly Water Boards and independent agricultural advisory services in the eastern Baltic Sea Region countries. There is also an urgent need for implementation of voluntary land-use measures where EU funding available to farmers is more broadly and effectively used by providing it on the basis of estimated abatement performance, which can be realized through modelling. The enormous potential for funding performance-based schemes, manure management infrastructure and advisory services through the EU's Common Agricultural Policy are currently underutilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark V. Brady
- Department of Economics, AgriFood Economics Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 730, 220 07 Lund, Sweden
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC), Lund University, Box 188, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mikael Skou Andersen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Århus C, Denmark
| | - Anna Andersson
- Department of Economics, AgriFood Economics Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 730, 220 07 Lund, Sweden
| | - Emils Kilis
- Baltic Studies Centre, Kokneses prospekts 26-2, Riga, 1014 Latvia
| | - Sanna-Riikka Saarela
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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