Item talk:Q228227

{

 "@context": "http://schema.org/",
 "@type": "WebPage",
 "additionalType": "Project",
 "url": "https://www.usgs.gov/centers/upper-midwest-water-science-center/science/environmental-effects-agricultural-practices",
 "headline": "Environmental Effects of Agricultural Practices",
 "datePublished": "April 9, 2019",
 "author": [
   {
     "@type": "Person",
     "name": "Victoria Glenn Christensen, PhD",
     "url": "https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/victoria-glenn-christensen",
     "identifier": {
       "@type": "PropertyValue",
       "propertyID": "orcid",
       "value": "0000-0003-4166-7461"
     }
   },
   {
     "@type": "Person",
     "name": "Faith A Fitzpatrick",
     "url": "https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/faith-a-fitzpatrick",
     "identifier": {
       "@type": "PropertyValue",
       "propertyID": "orcid",
       "value": "0000-0002-9748-7075"
     }
   },
   {
     "@type": "Person",
     "name": "Jeff Frey",
     "url": "https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/jeff-frey",
     "identifier": {
       "@type": "PropertyValue",
       "propertyID": "orcid",
       "value": "0000-0002-3453-5009"
     }
   },
   {
     "@type": "Person",
     "name": "Tanja N.  Williamson, PhD",
     "url": "https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/tanja-n-williamson",
     "identifier": {
       "@type": "PropertyValue",
       "propertyID": "orcid",
       "value": "0000-0002-7639-8495"
     }
   }
 ],
 "description": [
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "From the previously-studied Minnesota River basins (Christensen and others, 2009) a series of subbasins were selected to isolate the issues of hydrogeology and buffer characteristics. In order to focus on the impact of buffer character, sites will be selected that involve primarily cropland agriculture. Sub-basins will be chosen to provide a range of (1) time of retirement and (2) hydrogeologic conditions, at the same time controlling for other issues that might complicate the perceived response.  Selected basins will be evaluated in terms of:"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "Photo credits:"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "As agricultural land in the Minnesota River Basin is retired, tile drains are removed or broken and riparian corridors are planted to reduce runoff. Early studies saw decreased sediment and nitrogen and improved biological indicators but no significant changes in phosphorus. This project continues to investigate the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity; stream water; and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus."
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "U.S. Geological field crew collects sample in a tributary of the Minnesota River Basin, 2008 (photo by Victoria Christensen)"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "This project demonstrates an integrated USGS approach to watershed-scale studies, involves USGS scientists from several Science Centers and National Programs, and is conducted in cooperation with local, state and federal agencies. This project addresses the Midwest Area Environmental Effects of Agricultural Practices Initiative Themes of Watershed Resilience, Ecosystem Services, and Wildlife and Human Health, and addresses the Energy theme by addressing age of retirement and continuity of retired lands."
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "A project was initiated in the Fall of 2011 that builds on the initial findings of Christensen and others (2009) to further address the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity, and stream water and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus."
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "This project builds on our initial findings to further address the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity, and stream water and biotic quality, with a specific emphasis on sediment and phosphorus. The approach:"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "Data collection and sampling design includes:"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "Sediments are considered among the most significant agricultural pollutants because sediment runoff physically degrades aquatic habitat, and carries excess nutrients, especially phosphorus.  Riparian buffers, including those retired from agricultural production, are a key agricultural practice used to control runoff of sediment and associated pollutants. Edge-of-field studies have shown that these buffers:"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "Sediment Characterization"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "Ecosystem Quality"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "In the Minnesota River Basin, retirement of agricultural land has been actively pursued at the state and federal level and includes removal of tile drains and planting of retired riparian corridors with native grasses and is supported under various programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and Reinvest in Minnesota Program (RIM). U.S. Geological Survey scientists observed that suspended sediment as well as nitrite plus nitrate and total nitrogen (N) decreased with increasing percentages of retired land in a basin. In addition, although biological indicators varied in their response to percentage of retired land, most, including algal biovolume, abundance of tolerant invertebrate and fish species, and fish index of biotic integrity (IBI) scores improved as a function of the amount of retired land within 50 to 100 meters of the stream. In contrast, total phosphorus (P) concentrations showed no clear link to percentage of retired land. This observed inconsistent relation between various water quality and biological indicators led to questions of how the distribution and history of retired agricultural land impacted ecological outcomes."
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "U.S. Geological Survey field crew sampling invertebrates at South Branch Rush River, MN, 2006 (photo by: Victoria Christensen, U.S. Geological Survey)"
   },
   {
     "@type": "TextObject",
     "text": "However, the link between riparian buffers and ecological response is less clear, due to issues of:"
   }
 ],
 "funder": {
   "@type": "Organization",
   "name": "Upper Midwest Water Science Center",
   "url": "https://www.usgs.gov/centers/upper-midwest-water-science-center"
 },
 "about": [
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Science Technology"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Methods and Analysis"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Nutrients"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Energy"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Water"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Environmental Health"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Rural Water Quality"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Information Systems"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Sediment and Erosion"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Water Quality"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Science by State"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Stream Water Quality"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Minnesota"
   },
   {
     "@type": "Thing",
     "name": "Geology"
   }
 ]

}