Integrating Economic and Biophysical Data in Assessing Cost-Effectiveness of Buffer Strip Placement

Abstract

Th e European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires Member States to set water quality objectives and identify cost-eff ective mitigation measures to achieve "good status" in all waters. However, costs and eff ectiveness of measures vary both within and between catchments, depending on factors such as land use and topography. Th e aim of this study was to develop a cost-eff ectiveness analysis framework for integrating estimates of phosphorus (P) losses from landbased sources, potential abatement using riparian buff ers, and the economic implications of buff ers. Estimates of fi eld-by-fi eld P exports and routing were based on crop risk and fi eld slope classes. Buff er P trapping effi ciencies were based on literature metadata analysis. Costs of placing buff ers were based on foregone farm gross margins. An integrated optimization model of cost minimization was developed and solved for diff erent P reduction targets to the Rescobie Loch catchment in eastern Scotland. A target mean annual P load reduction of 376 kg to the loch to achieve good status was identifi ed. Assuming all the riparian fi elds initially have the 2-m buff er strip required by the General Binding Rules (part of the WFD in Scotland), the model gave good predictions of P loads (345-481 kg P). Th e modeling results show that riparian buff ers alone cannot achieve the required P load reduction (up to 54% P can be removed). In the medium P input scenario, average costs vary from £38 to £176 kg −1 P at 10% and 54% P reduction, respectively. Th e framework demonstrates a useful tool for exploring costeff ective targeting of environmental measures.

Plant genotype influences aquatic‐terrestrial ecosystem linkages through timing and composition of insect emergence

“…), including large investments in restoring buffer zones around streams (Balana et al. , Newton , Stutter et al. ).…”

“…Understanding ecosystem-level consequences of losing genetic diversity in the riparian zone will be important for land managers who are spending billions of dollars on river restoration projects across North America (Bernhardt et al 2005), including large investments in restoring buffer zones around streams (Balana et al 2012, Newton 2012). Because genetically similar genotypes of P. angustifolia cottonwoods support similar emerging insect communities, loss of riparian genetic diversity, especially genetically dissimilar genotypes, will likely negatively impact aquatic insect diversity.…”

An Appraisal of Potential for Sowing of Nasturtium officinale into Streams to Mitigate Nutrient Pollution in Eastern Scotland

“…Water flow and quality data has been collected in this catchment for >10 years [15]. A simple framework to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a range of potential mitigation measures for P runoff from land ( [16,17]), using a "smart" export coefficient approach, has also been developed. However, this approach did not consider retention of nutrients by aquatic vegetation.…”

Integrated cost-effectiveness analysis of agri-environmental measures for water quality

“…Different combinations of these factors result in different effectiveness and cost estimates. Thus, identification of localized, targeted and context specific mitigation measures and the assessment of their respective costs and effects could help achieve the Directive's objectives in a more costeffective manner than standardized prescriptions of mitigation measures (Balana et al, 2012).…”