Cost-effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways: an Irish case study
Abstract Diffuse pollution, globally affecting water quality by delivery of sediment, nutrients, pathogens and agro-chemicals from farmland, often has dominant flowpaths connecting to discrete channel delivery points, where field-edge mitigation can be optimally targeted. Accurate representation of...
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-025-00125-6 |
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| author | Marc Stutter Nikki Baggaley Allan Lilly Per-Erik Mellander Mark E. Wilkinson Daire Ó hUallacháin |
| author_facet | Marc Stutter Nikki Baggaley Allan Lilly Per-Erik Mellander Mark E. Wilkinson Daire Ó hUallacháin |
| author_sort | Marc Stutter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Diffuse pollution, globally affecting water quality by delivery of sediment, nutrients, pathogens and agro-chemicals from farmland, often has dominant flowpaths connecting to discrete channel delivery points, where field-edge mitigation can be optimally targeted. Accurate representation of field convergent flow paths (CFPs) can inform decisions on riparian mitigation planning. For three fields in Wexford, Ireland, we combined literature, catchment data, field-survey and spatial data methods to derive sediment and P exports (7.4–18.7 tonnes sediment/year and 0.9–6.9 kgP/year), runoff areas and watercourse delivery points (one to six CFPs per field). We moderated exports according to the ratio effective riparian buffer area: CFP contributing area and compared 3 mitigation levels. Low buffer to CFP area ratios highlighted limitations of narrow buffers for larger CFPs. Linear grass buffers (2 m, level 1) were predicted to retain 2–17% of sediment and 1–6% total P exports. Level 2, 5 m buffers targeting CFP delivery points to watercourses retained 4–38% of the sediment and 2–15% total P and improved cost-effectiveness two- to three- fold relative to level 1 (20–1761 Euros/tonne sediment and 650–5114 Euros/kgP for level 2). Level 3 scenarios (sediment traps and in-ditch filters; 49% and 33% retention of field sediment and P losses, respectively) improved cost-effectiveness (50–145 Euros/tonne sediment and 108–1498 Euros/kgP). Mitigation cost-effectiveness best informs policy and planning and landowner decisions by including surface runoff behaviour utilising spatial soil and topographic data, accompanied by walk-over ground truthing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6a9a739236a54e348d327db92cc7a7c8 |
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| issn | 2948-1589 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
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| series | Discover Geoscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-6a9a739236a54e348d327db92cc7a7c82025-08-20T02:15:07ZengSpringerDiscover Geoscience2948-15892025-02-013111610.1007/s44288-025-00125-6Cost-effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways: an Irish case studyMarc Stutter0Nikki Baggaley1Allan Lilly2Per-Erik Mellander3Mark E. Wilkinson4Daire Ó hUallacháin5The James Hutton InstituteThe James Hutton InstituteThe James Hutton InstituteTeagasc, Johnstown Castle Research CentreThe James Hutton InstituteThe James Hutton InstituteAbstract Diffuse pollution, globally affecting water quality by delivery of sediment, nutrients, pathogens and agro-chemicals from farmland, often has dominant flowpaths connecting to discrete channel delivery points, where field-edge mitigation can be optimally targeted. Accurate representation of field convergent flow paths (CFPs) can inform decisions on riparian mitigation planning. For three fields in Wexford, Ireland, we combined literature, catchment data, field-survey and spatial data methods to derive sediment and P exports (7.4–18.7 tonnes sediment/year and 0.9–6.9 kgP/year), runoff areas and watercourse delivery points (one to six CFPs per field). We moderated exports according to the ratio effective riparian buffer area: CFP contributing area and compared 3 mitigation levels. Low buffer to CFP area ratios highlighted limitations of narrow buffers for larger CFPs. Linear grass buffers (2 m, level 1) were predicted to retain 2–17% of sediment and 1–6% total P exports. Level 2, 5 m buffers targeting CFP delivery points to watercourses retained 4–38% of the sediment and 2–15% total P and improved cost-effectiveness two- to three- fold relative to level 1 (20–1761 Euros/tonne sediment and 650–5114 Euros/kgP for level 2). Level 3 scenarios (sediment traps and in-ditch filters; 49% and 33% retention of field sediment and P losses, respectively) improved cost-effectiveness (50–145 Euros/tonne sediment and 108–1498 Euros/kgP). Mitigation cost-effectiveness best informs policy and planning and landowner decisions by including surface runoff behaviour utilising spatial soil and topographic data, accompanied by walk-over ground truthing.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-025-00125-6Convergent flowpathsRiparian mitigationSedimentTotal PField exportsBuffer zones |
| spellingShingle | Marc Stutter Nikki Baggaley Allan Lilly Per-Erik Mellander Mark E. Wilkinson Daire Ó hUallacháin Cost-effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways: an Irish case study Discover Geoscience Convergent flowpaths Riparian mitigation Sediment Total P Field exports Buffer zones |
| title | Cost-effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways: an Irish case study |
| title_full | Cost-effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways: an Irish case study |
| title_fullStr | Cost-effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways: an Irish case study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cost-effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways: an Irish case study |
| title_short | Cost-effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways: an Irish case study |
| title_sort | cost effectiveness of targeted riparian management for sediment and total phosphorus considering convergent surface flow pathways an irish case study |
| topic | Convergent flowpaths Riparian mitigation Sediment Total P Field exports Buffer zones |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-025-00125-6 |
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