Nitrate and fecal coliform concentration differences at the soil/bedrock interface in Appalachian silvopasture, pasture, and forest

Abstract

A major limitation to efficient forage-based livestock production in Appalachia is asynchrony of forage availability and quality with nutritional requirements of the grazer. Producers require dependable plant resources and management practices that improve the seasonal distribution and persistence of high quality herbage, sustainability and environmental integrity of the agricultural landscape. It was hypothesized that inorganic N and fecal coliform concentrations delivered in leachate to the soil/bedrock interface would be lowest in deciduous forest (HF) and highest in pasture (CP) with HF converted to silvopasture (SP) between the two. Piezometers were used to monitor water quality at the soil/bedrock interface under conventional pasture, SP, and hardwood forest. The pasture and SP were rotationally grazed by sheep during the spring to fall grazing season (2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008). Geometric mean fecal coliform bacteria concentrations (FC) were greatest in SP (18 FC 100 mL -1 ) with no difference between CP (7.5 FC 100 mL -1 ) and HF (5.6 FC 100 mL -1 ). Mean NO 3 -N concentration was lowest in SP (2.3 mg L -1 ) and greatest in CP (4.4 mg L -1 ) and HF (4.1 mg L -1 ), which were not significantly different. Mean NH 4 -N concentrations showed different trends with the lowest mean concentration in CP (0.5 mg L -1 ) and the greatest in SP (2.5 mg L -1 ) and HF (2.6 mg L -1 ), which were not significantly different. SP was shown to be a management option in the study area that reduces nitrate leaching, but should be considered cautiously in near-stream areas and near wells where fecal bacteria pollution can be problematic. This study makes an important contribution to our knowledge about interactions between landscape management and environmental quality of the Appalachian region. A diversity of land and forage management options are needed to maximize forage and livestock productivity while protecting surface and groundwater quality of the region.

Microbial Contamination of Groundwater at Small Community Water Supplies in Finland

“…Research findings supporting a link between nutrients and faecal contamination have been previously reported elsewhere (e.g. Fernandez-Molina et al 2004;Schoonover and Lockaby 2010;Pronk et al 2007;Boyer and Neel 2010). Large rural areas in central Finland are important cattle breeding areas with intensive farming producing large amounts of faecal material.…”

Over-yielding in temperate silvopastures: a meta-analysis

“…In addition, agroforestry practices, including silvopasture, are often cited as being more environmentally beneficial and culturally acceptable than alternative, conventional practices (Jose et al 2019;Torralba et al 2016). Improved resource utilization results in less nutrient loss from the pasture and therefore improvements in water quality (Boyer and Neel 2010;Michel et al 2007). Silvopastures sequester more carbon than pastures or forests alone (Sharrow and Ismail 2004;Montagnini and Nair 2012).…”

The Vulnerability of Underground Water Resources to Bacteriological Indicators in Parts of Owerri West of Southeastern Nigeria

“…This result is against the observation that, no sampled water should contain Faecal Coliform or E. coli, and ideally there should be no Total Coliform [32]. Findings of faecal contamination of groundwater have been reported by Boyer and Neel [33], in rural areas, central Finland are where cattle breeding areas with intensive farming producing large amounts of faecal material. It is also possible that human excreta may leach into groundwater since there are rural areas having tap water, but being in lack of sewerage networks.…”