Spatialised agricultural nitrogen balance of Veneto region, Northern Italy: sources identification, assessment and policy relevance

Abstract

The aim of this study is to deepening knowledge on the agricultural nitrogen cycle within the Veneto region (Northern Italy) by computing the Gross Nitrogen Balance (GNB) with highly geographical resolution. Spatialised maps of nitrogen input and output, created using the most detailed information available, are important tools for assessing environmental sustainability. ). The GIS-based analysis highlights interdependencies between farmer's choices of land uses and the environmental pressures of agricultural activities at the sub-regional level. The results of the study can be used to inform policy makers about the effects caused by environmental management actions that should take into account the interlinkages between landscapes, habitats, biodiversity and ecological integrity.

Definition of hot-spots to reduce the nitrogen losses from agricultural land to groundwater in Slovakia

“…The definition of hot-spots is the initial precondition to ensure the efficiency of measures for nitrogen pollution reduction (Ackermann et al, 2016;Blicher-Mathiesen et al, 2014;Bujnovský et al, 2016;Cameira et al, 2021;Capri et al, 2009;Cherry et al, 2008;ICPDR, 2021a;Kuhr et al, 2013;Mititelu-Ionuș et al, 2019;Orellana-Macías et al, 2021;Pulighe et al, 2014). The Nitrates Directive vulnerable zones could serve as a proxy for the implementation of more targeted measures, however, as being documented by number of publications (e.g.…”