Institut für Pflanzenbau und Bodenkunde
The aim of the demonstration project is to test a concept for early and systematic measuring and forecasting of nitrate loads on agricultural land under practical conditions. Later, this early monitoring concept shall be integrated it in to a nationwide nitrate monitoring. The monitoring concept is based on a multi-parametric set of early indicators such as annual balance values and measurements. Balance values and measurements are collected at the place where the nitrate loads originate, (1) the agricultural business, (2) the root zone and (3) the leachate drainage zone. This way, the effects of changing management practices on nitrate loads from agricultural land are to be mapped directly and not with the usually long time delay, typical for the EEA groundwater monitoring network.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
