Managing agricultural systems to protect Canada's freshwater

西姆科湖每年的旅游和娱乐收入约为2亿美元。然而，多年来，湖泊生态系统严重退化，磷(P)积累过多。这威胁到该地区的经济和收入基础，该地区高度依赖一个干净的湖泊。荷兰沼泽有机土壤的集约化蔬菜生产是湖泊磷的主要贡献者。由麦吉尔大学的研究人员领导的一项为期3年的实地研究将与国家和地区的合作者一起，设计和测试创新的水管理方法，旨在减少荷兰沼泽农业造成的氮(N)和磷污染。 利用农业领域现有的地下瓷砖排水沟，将对两种新的水控制系统(控制排水和地下灌溉)进行评估。将测量种植洋葱和胡萝卜的试验田以及灌溉喷头和对照田的排水流出物中的氮和磷。将对每个水管理系统的水质和作物生产力效益进行评估，以量化和展示每个系统的潜在环境效益。 研究结果对制定减少污染目标和计划并推荐最佳管理实践(BMP)的政策制定者以及蔬菜种植者具有重要意义。将获得关于温带湿润气候集约耕作有机土壤水质管理的新信息。加拿大将通过推广用于非点源污染控制的新的BMP而受益，McGill将提高其在淡水生态系统保护方面的研究能力和高素质人员的培训。将建立一个国际研究网络，将麦吉尔和圭尔夫与美国和欧洲的大学联系起来，研究类似的有机土壤-水质量问题。

Lake Simcoe generates approximately$200M in annual revenues from tourism and recreation. However, the Lake ecosystem is severely degraded to excessive Phosphorus (P) accumulation over the years. This threatens the region's economy and revenue base, which is highly dependent on a clean lake. Intensive vegetable production in the organic soils of the Holland Marsh, is a major contributor of P to the Lake. A 3 year field study, led by researchers from McGill University, in conjunction with national and regional collaborators will design and test innovative water management methods, aimed at reducing nitrogen (N) and P pollution, due to agriculture in the Holland Marsh. Utilizing existing subsurface tile drains in the agricultural fields, two novel water control systems (controlled drainage and sub-irrigation) will be evaluated. N and P will be measured in the drainage effluent from experimental fields cropped to onions and carrots, as well as from a sprinkler irrigated and a control field. The water quality and crop productivity benefits of each water management system will be evaluated, to quantify and demonstrate the potential environmental benefits of each system. The results are of importance to policymakers who develop pollution reduction targets and programs, and recommend Best Management Practices (BMPs), as well as to vegetable growers. New information on water quality management of intensively cultivated organic soils in temperate humid climates will be obtained. Canada will benefit through the promotion of new BMPs for non-point source pollution control, and McGill will advance its research capacity and training of highly qualified personnel in the protection of freshwater ecosystems. An international research network, linking McGill and Guelph with universities in the US and Europe working on similar organic soil - water quality problems will be created.