The nutrient flow dynamics in rural landscapes are among the basic characteristics of landscape functioning. In this study, the ecohydrological model SW"T Soil and Water "ssessment Tool was applied in a small rural catchment in northwest NW Spain to evaluate the contribution of land use on nitrate losses and to assess the relative importance of different pathways by which nitrate is delivered to the drainage network. The model was first calibrated and validated at a monthly time step. The SW"T model performance was satisfactory R > . Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency NSE > . and percent bias P"I"S < % during both the calibration and validation periods, indicating that SW"T predicted the nitrate discharge accurately. Using the calibrated SW"T model, this study showed that agricultural lands, even though they represent only % of the catchment, were main contributor to the nitrate losses accounting for about % of the total nitrate yield. The model results also indicated that, irrespective of the land use, groundwater flow is the main pathway for nitrate losses % therefore, appropriate management practices aimed at decreasing nitrate leaching will be key factors in reducing nitrate yield in the study catchment.