Scientists have been examining information on economic costs, water quantity/quality benefits, and cost effectiveness of agricultural BMPs at a watershed scale using farm economic, watershed hydrologic and integrated economic-hydrologic modelling. This project developed the WEBs open source GIS tool to make BMP modelling systems accessible to agricultural conservation practitioners.
Drought can have a significant impact on crop yield, particularly for field crops that are not irrigated. It is generally believed that adopting a no-till management system conserves more soil moisture, but there is a lack of scientific data to support this recommendation, especially under different crop rotations. This project analyses ten years of field [...]
This report takes a deeper look at Canada’s opportunity to increase its agricultural output in order to meet global demand for food, but also speaks to the responsibility we have to ensure the long-term sustainability of our precious fresh water resources. Virtual water and water footprint analysis are part of a suite of tools [...]
Land application is one of the most common end destinations for biosolids, and the only one that allows for the beneficial reuse of its nutrients. Although current regulations and agricultural management practices are generally considered to be protective of human and environmental health, the detection of an increasing number of ESOCs in biosolids and the [...]
Agriculture accounts for over 70% of freshwater withdrawals globally. As world demand for food increases, freshwater demands will also continue to increase. Agriculture is a major industry in many countries, including Canada, and economic competitiveness involves the appropriate use of agrochemicals. However, long-term use of fertilizers has resulted in the degradation of both surface water [...]
A series of research studies have been conducted in Ontario and Nova Scotia evaluating the use of constructed wetlands to treat common sources of rural wastewaters: domestic wastewater, dairy farm wastewater and septage (sludge from septic tanks).