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Management options to reduce future nitrogen emissions into rivers: A case study of the Weser river basin, Germany

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  • Hirt, U.
  • Kreins, P.
  • Kuhn, U.
  • Mahnkopf, J.
  • Venohr, M.
  • Wendland, F.

Abstract

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires a good chemical and ecological status of water and groundwater resources in the EU member countries by 2015. However, for some river basins, the good status cannot be achieved by 2015, and therefore measures have to be taken to reduce the unacceptably high nutrient input. Therefore, a new approach was developed by using an interdisciplinary model network, consisting of the regionalized agricultural economic model RAUMIS and two hydro(geo)logical models GROWA/WEKU and MONERIS. For the 49,000km2 Weser river basin, in Germany we: (1) analysed nitrogen surplus on agricultural land for 2003 and nitrogen emissions into ground and surface waters in an area-differentiated manner, (2) quantified the future impact of agro-political measures and global economics for 2015 and its effect on nitrogen emissions (baseline scenario), (3) identified reduction targets to reach the goals of the WFD and (4) designed comprehensive measure packages including cost efficiency. In 2003, high nitrogen balances lead to nitrogen emissions of 91,000tyr−1, which were mainly realized via the pathways groundwater flow, tile drainages and point sources. In 2015 the baseline scenario shows a mean reduction of nitrogen balances of ∼10kgha−1yr−1. Consequently, nitrogen emissions into surface waters are predicted to drop to 75,700kgha−1yr−1 for the whole catchment, and sitespecific emissions will remain under 30kgha−1yr−1. However, despite this reduction, additional measures will be needed in order for agriculture to reach the targets for the good ground and surface water quality. Therefore, seven conventional agricultural measures were chosen based on a comprehensive literature research and expert opinions. Results show, that in 6% of the regions the targets are not attained by conventional measures. This interdisciplinary model network provides an appropriate tool for a sustainable river basin management for large scales.

Suggested Citation

  • Hirt, U. & Kreins, P. & Kuhn, U. & Mahnkopf, J. & Venohr, M. & Wendland, F., 2012. "Management options to reduce future nitrogen emissions into rivers: A case study of the Weser river basin, Germany," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 118-131.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:115:y:2012:i:c:p:118-131
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2012.08.005
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    1. O. Tzoraki & D. Cooper & G. Dörflinger & P. Panagos, 2014. "A new MONERIS in-Stream Retention Module to Account Nutrient Budget of a Temporary River in Cyprus," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(10), pages 2917-2935, August.
    2. Peter Kreins & Martin Henseler & Jano Anter & Frank Herrmann & Frank Wendland, 2015. "Quantification of Climate Change Impact on Regional Agricultural Irrigation and Groundwater Demand," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(10), pages 3585-3600, August.
    3. Martin Henseler & Ruth Delzeit & Marcel Adenäuer & Sarah Baum & Peter Kreins, 2020. "Nitrogen Tax and Set-Aside as Greenhouse Gas Abatement Policies Under Global Change Scenarios: A Case Study for Germany," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 76(2), pages 299-329, July.
    4. Heidecke, Claudia & Wagner, Andrea & Kreins, Peter & Venohr, Markus & Wendland, Frank, 2014. "Options for meeting WFD targets beyond 2015 in a highly polluted river basin in Germany," 2014 International Congress, August 26-29, 2014, Ljubljana, Slovenia 182931, European Association of Agricultural Economists.

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