Canadian-US Demonstration Project Towards an International Nitrogen Assessment System
Citation:
Baron, J., S. Bittman, R. Shiebley, J. Compton, C. Snyder, AND D. Wise. Canadian-US Demonstration Project Towards an International Nitrogen Assessment System. International Nitrogen Initiative, Melbourne, N/A, AUSTRALIA, December 04 - 10, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
As an outgrowth of the International Nitrogen Initiative's North American Nitrogen Committee, US and Canadian scientists will collaborate on a demonstration project centered on Bellingham Bay on the US-Canada border. This location presents a good opportunity for this international collaborative effort because of abundant scientific data and numerous connections to engaged scientists and stakeholders. There are other well-studied areas in the US but this presents an opportunity to develop new international collaboration in an area with nitrogen-sensitive terrestrial, groundwater, rivers and coastal systems. There is a tremendous opportunity to collaborate on nitrogen management methods across the U.S. and Canada, as well as with native Nooksack and Lummi nations residing in Whatcom County, WA. This project can serve as an example of science-based international policy development. The effort will include knowledge synthesis, capacity building among stakeholders, economic analysis, and collaboration across international boundaries, inclusive of scientists, practitioners, and managers of different sectors in the region. This presentation contributes to a deliverable for SHC 4.61.
Description:
Bellingham Bay will provide the test case for an international nitrogen (N) management system for North America. Spanning a portion of the western interface of the U.S. and Canada, the region supports intensive agriculture, freshwater and estuarine fisheries, diverse wildlife, cities and towns, and to the east, North Cascades National Park that is protected by the US Wilderness Acts. Using abundant data and model activities from a well-established scientific community, our project seeks to create knowledge, build regional capacity, and forge collaborations toward creation of regional N management solutions that protect or restore ecosystems and human health affected by excess reactive N while maintaining a vibrant agricultural community.