What to believe? Understanding approaches to evaluating agricultural best management practices

Session: 41b. - Great Lakes Harmful Algal Blooms Research from Watershed Influence to Ecosystem Effects

Mari Veliz, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, [email protected]
Wanhong Yang, Department of Geography, University of Guelph, [email protected]
Gabrielle Ferguson , Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, [email protected]

Abstract

Producers, funders and extension staff would like more information about the environmental efficacy and cost-benefits of agricultural best management practices (BMPs). Ten years of water and land management data at the field and watershed scales have been collected about the implemented BMPs.  Watershed trends have been developed and different watershed models (e.g., Soil and Water Assessment Tool, Agricultural Non Point Source Pollution, a modified Stormwater Management Model) have helped to explain water quality conditions.  The different approaches have resulted in different outcomes.   In light of the paucity of long-term data, further investigation into discrepancies and consistencies between the monitored data and the modelled data will be necessary.  Due to the cumulative nature of landscape practices, understanding the costs and benefits of BMPs can only be accomplished in a manageable ecosystem framework – which is a long-term watershed study.  Evaluation cannot be done everywhere, but, it does need to be done somewhere.

1. Keyword
watersheds

2. Keyword
ecosystem modeling

3. Keyword
water quality