Estimating the effects of wetland conservation practices in croplands: approaches for modeling in the CEAP–Cropland Assessment
Abstract
Aquatic contamination caused by loss of soil, nutrients, and pesticides from farm fields is a significant resource concern for the nation’s croplands. To address this concern, the CEAP–Cropland Assessment combines sampling and modeling approaches to estimate the environmental effects of conservation practices that can reduce soil erosion and nutrient export from croplands to streams and aquifers. The assessment uses empirical data on farming and conservation practices for a large representative sample of cropland field points from the National Resources Inventory (NRI) within the framework of the physical-process model, APEX (Agricultural Policy/ Environmental eXtender).