S6: N monitoring

This session will explore methods to monitor state and trends in N-emissions and loads at different scales. With the needs for improvements in N efficiency and aims of reducing N loadings to the aquatic environment monitoring and assessment techniques are an essential element of management.  Today, it is technically possible to derive high-resolution data to evaluate and design the effect of new management solutions to achieve a better N use efficiency, and to detect specific areas and hot spots with high risk for N-losses.

Examples of studies include methods to derive nitrogen balances and flows at national scale, based on statistical data, state of the art monitoring programs, and the disaggregation to more local scales based on high resolution GIS-databases. To this, methods to target N measures geographically in catchments are needed to identify sustainable and effective ways of introducing mitigation measures for reducing nitrogen losses for the benefit of both environment and production. This include detailed empirical as well as mechanistic model studies of leaching and other types of N losses, and the N retention in the landscape.

On top of the exiting national monitoring program, new and much more detailed field, farm, and sub-catchment  scale monitoring knowledge are demanded. New studies and new techniques are currently being tested, and with the upcoming new geographically targeted N regulation in Denmark, large investment will be directed into this area. In this session, the perspectives of different monitoring, modelling and assessment technigues and programs will be discussed

Session organizers: Brian Kronvang, Kristoffer Piil, Birgitte Hansen, Lærke Thorling