Research from Ulster University has changed the way that public sector agencies, advisory services and farmers identify diffuse phosphorus pollution pressures on agricultural land in Ireland.
Issue
Eutrophication of freshwater bodies caused by phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural land continues to be a major environmental problem in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Identification of specific P hotspots on farms and in river catchments has been a major challenge.
Approach
Geographers at Ulster University identified the key challenges in obtaining and combining Critical Source Areas (CSA) hotspot data across Ireland. A spatial risk assessment of hydrologically sensitive areas was developed using high-resolution digital elevation data. Areas prone to surface runoff were then combined with field-by-field soil P concentration data in a validated geospatial model.
Impact
In Northern Ireland, the research has been used by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to provide innovative field-scale mapped instructions on soil P management for 1,091 individual farmers in large river catchments. Soil fertility and CSA maps were produced for 513 farmers and 7,700 fields and followed up with a further 578 farmers managing 9,600 fields.
In the Republic of Ireland, the research is being used by the EPA to assess and map soil P pollution in 190 priority catchments and across the Republic of Ireland as a whole (approximately 137,000 farms). It is also influencing how farmers are advised regarding mitigation approaches.
More information
Institution: Ulster University
Researchers: Professor Philip Jordan, Professor Paul Dunlop