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Evaluating Ecosystem Services for the Expansion of Irrigation on Agricultural Land

Author

Listed:
  • Maurice G. Estes

    (Earth and Atmospheric Science Department, Earth System Science Center, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA)

  • James Cruise

    (Earth and Atmospheric Science Department, Earth System Science Center, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA)

  • Walter Lee Ellenburg

    (Earth and Atmospheric Science Department, Earth System Science Center, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA)

  • Rachel Suhs

    (Earth and Atmospheric Science Department, Earth System Science Center, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA)

  • Alexandria Cox

    (Earth and Atmospheric Science Department, Earth System Science Center, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA)

  • Max Runge

    (Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, 304 Comer Hall Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA)

  • Adam Newby

    (Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, 304 Comer Hall Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA)

Abstract

Managing water resources requires consideration of both environmental and socio-economic benefits to effectively balance the benefits and costs. This includes identifying ecosystem services (ES) of concern and how to evaluate the project or proposed changes effect on these ES. The purpose of this effort is to describe methods to evaluate ecosystem services to provide expanded irrigation to existing agricultural lands in Alabama and the potential application to other areas. A case study has been undertaken on the Middle Alabama watershed in central Alabama and methods have been developed and applied to evaluate ES in terms of how irrigated versus rainfed fields will affect sediment retention, fertilizer usage and the effect of the subsequent discharges of sediment and nitrogen from fertilizer on water quality. The results of case studies in the Middle Alabama watershed indicate positive ES benefits from sustainable agricultural practices and the irrigation of agricultural lands versus rainfed fields. We anticipate these methods will be applicable to other watersheds outside the southeast region too.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurice G. Estes & James Cruise & Walter Lee Ellenburg & Rachel Suhs & Alexandria Cox & Max Runge & Adam Newby, 2022. "Evaluating Ecosystem Services for the Expansion of Irrigation on Agricultural Land," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:12:p:2316-:d:1006033
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Allaire-Leung, S. E. & Wu, L. & Mitchell, J. P. & Sanden, B. L., 2001. "Nitrate leaching and soil nitrate content as affected by irrigation uniformity in a carrot field," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 37-50, May.
    2. Ribaudo, Marc & Savage, Jeffrey & Aillery, Marcel P., 2014. "An Economic Assessment of Policy Options To Reduce Agricultural Pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay," Economic Research Report 171880, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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