Tracking the fate of watershed nitrogen: The “N-Sink” Web Tool and Two Case Studies
Citation:
Arnold, C., D. Kellogg, Ken Forshay, C. Damon, E. Wilson, A. Gold, E. Wentz, AND M. Shimizu. Tracking the fate of watershed nitrogen: The “N-Sink” Web Tool and Two Case Studies. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-13/230, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
In order to manage the widespread N pollution problem in watersheds it is requisite for decision makers to have a strong technical grasp of the factors that control N sources, sinks (regions or areas that can retain N), and pathways along which nitrogen is moved and transformed. However, this scientific rigor should not serve to confuse the problem but communicate alternatives in such a way that management of land use is attainable for decision makers. A fruitful approach to communicate the relationships between N processing and land use or land cover is through static and interactive maps supported by models of N processing The N-Sink nitrogen management tool summarizes the complex biological, chemical, and physical conveyance of N to support watershed N management decisions with sound scientific information and a means by which to visualize alternative decisions.
Description:
This product describes the application of a web-based decision support tool, N-Sink, in two case study watersheds. N-Sink is a customized ArcMap© program that provides maps of N sourcesand sinks within a watershed, and estimates the delivery efficiency of N movement from sources to the watershed outlet. The primary objective of N-Sink is to assist land use planners, watershed managers, and land conservation organizations to evaluate proposed development, prioritize restoration projects, and focus resources in areas that are most likely to yield reductions in N delivery to coastal waters.