Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312497
Title: From sacred cows to sacrificial lambs: implementing agricultural phosphorus science and management to combat eutrophication

Author
item Kleinman, Peter
item SHARPLEY, ANDREW - University Of Arkansas
item WITHERS, PAUL - Bangor University, Wales
item BERGSTROM, LARS - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences
item JOHNSON, LAURA - Heidelberg University, Ohio
item DOODY, DONNACHA - Agri-Food And Biosciences Institute

Submitted to: Ambio
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/2015
Publication Date: 3/1/2015
Citation: Kleinman, P.J., Sharpley, A.N., Withers, P.J., Bergstrom, L., Johnson, L.T., Doody, D.G. 2015. Implementing agricultural phosphorus science and management to combat eutrophication. Ambio. 44:297-310.

Interpretive Summary: The application of science to improving water quality in agricultural watersheds has a long history, but is ever evolving as lessons from past experiences are learned and new challenges are encountered. The application of science to managing phosphorus can be quite different under regulated and unregulated settings. We examine case studies from the US, Great Britain and Sweden to identify the major hurdles to success, particularly those derived from within the conservation and agriculture communities. Common themes of openness when it comes to understanding trade-offs, respecting external knowledge even when local data are unavailable, and avoiding entrenchment of perspectives are all key to successful watershed phosphorus programs.

Technical Abstract: Experience with implementing agricultural phosphorus (P) strategies highlights successes and uncertainty over outcomes. We examine case studies from the USA, UK, and Sweden to examine P management under voluntary, litigated and regulatory settings. In the USA, voluntary strategies to curtail P loadings have been complicated by competing objectives between soil conservation and dissolved P mitigation. In litigated watersheds, mandated manure export has not wrought dire consequences on the poultry industry, but has adversely affected beef producers who use manure to fertilize pastures. In the UK, regulatory and voluntary approaches are improving farmer awareness, but require more accurate apportionment of agriculture’s ecological impact and more comprehensive control of P sources. In all cases, local data are more compelling to farmers and conservationists than are models and outside expertise. Effective action requires application of existing knowledge of P fate and transport, coupled with unabashed description and demonstration of tradeoffs to local stakeholders.