TY - JOUR
T1 - The efficacy of conservation practices in reducing floods and improving water quality
AU - Srivastava, Shivendra
AU - Basche, Andrea
AU - Traylor, Elbert
AU - Roy, Tirthankar
N1 - Funding Information:
This research is supported by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy with funds through EPA Section 319 Award 56-2083 (Title: Impacts of conservation practices on the water quality and quantity in the Shell Creek Watershed, Nebraska).
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2023 Srivastava, Basche, Traylor and Roy.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Conservation practices such as crop rotation, filter strips, and constructed wetlands are nature-based approaches intended to safeguard natural resources in agricultural landscapes. In this study, we reviewed the literature on how conservation practices, both at watershed and field scales, have been proven to subdue flood peaks, surface runoff, soil erosion, sediment transport, and nutrient loss. We classified different conservation practices based on the mode of their application (i.e., in-field, edge-of-field, and structural practices) and described what prior research efforts have concluded about the efficacy of different practices. At the field scale, practices such as reduced or no-till farming, grassed waterways, and creation of wetlands significantly reduced the peak flow. Similarly, water quality was improved with implementation of conservation practices such as using cover crops, filter strips, and managing residue and tillage. The assessment of conservation practices across the literature was found to be challenging as different conservation practices showed a similar response, thus making it complex to assess the individual effect. A wide range of challenges related to the data, modeling/analysis, and management aspects of conservation practices were identified, and recommendations were provided to overcome these challenges.
AB - Conservation practices such as crop rotation, filter strips, and constructed wetlands are nature-based approaches intended to safeguard natural resources in agricultural landscapes. In this study, we reviewed the literature on how conservation practices, both at watershed and field scales, have been proven to subdue flood peaks, surface runoff, soil erosion, sediment transport, and nutrient loss. We classified different conservation practices based on the mode of their application (i.e., in-field, edge-of-field, and structural practices) and described what prior research efforts have concluded about the efficacy of different practices. At the field scale, practices such as reduced or no-till farming, grassed waterways, and creation of wetlands significantly reduced the peak flow. Similarly, water quality was improved with implementation of conservation practices such as using cover crops, filter strips, and managing residue and tillage. The assessment of conservation practices across the literature was found to be challenging as different conservation practices showed a similar response, thus making it complex to assess the individual effect. A wide range of challenges related to the data, modeling/analysis, and management aspects of conservation practices were identified, and recommendations were provided to overcome these challenges.
KW - agricultural management
KW - climate change
KW - conservation practices
KW - flooding
KW - water quality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85161032280&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85161032280&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1136989
DO - 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1136989
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85161032280
SN - 2296-665X
VL - 11
JO - Frontiers in Environmental Science
JF - Frontiers in Environmental Science
M1 - 1136989
ER -