Towards implementing precision conservation practices in agricultural watersheds: A review of the use and prospects of spatial decision support systems and tools

Md Bodrud-Doza; Wanhong Yang; Rodrigo de Queiroga Miranda; Alicia Martin; Ben DeVries; Evan D G Fraser

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167118

Towards implementing precision conservation practices in agricultural watersheds: A review of the use and prospects of spatial decision support systems and tools

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 20:905:167118. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167118. Epub 2023 Sep 17.

Authors

Md Bodrud-Doza¹, Wanhong Yang², Rodrigo de Queiroga Miranda², Alicia Martin², Ben DeVries², Evan D G Fraser³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Geography Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. Electronic address: mbodrudd@uoguelph.ca.
² Department of Geography Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
³ Department of Geography Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.

PMID: 37717782
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167118

Abstract

Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution leads to water quality degradation. While agriculture is faced with the challenge of feeding a growing population in a changing climate, farmers must also strive to minimize adverse impacts of agriculture on the environment. As a result, policies, and agri-environmental programs to promote agricultural conservation practices for controlling NPS pollution have been emerging. Despite progress, reducing NPS is a complex challenge that requires ongoing innovation and investment. A major challenge is to achieve an optimal spatial trade-off between the economic costs and positive environmental outcomes of conservation practices on complex agricultural landscapes. Geospatial systems and tools can help to address this challenge and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of conservation efforts. However, using these tools for precision conservation is underexamined. This review paper aims to address this gap through a critical exploration of spatial decision support systems and tools to provide synthesized knowledge for implementing precision conservation practices. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to guide the implementation of precision conservation and identifies areas for further development of geospatial systems and tools on planning and assessment of precision conservation efforts. All of which will be helpful for decision-makers and watershed managers in determining the most effective approaches for precision conservation. Furthermore, this review highlights the need for further research and development towards establishing an integrated spatial decision support system framework, which can improve socio-economic, environmental, and ecological outcomes.

Keywords: Agricultural nonpoint source pollution; Conservation practices; Integrated watershed modeling; Precision conservation; Spatial decision support systems and tools.

Publication types

Review