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Optimizing Non-Point Source Pollution Management: Evaluating Cost-Effective Strategies in a Small Watershed within the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

Author

Listed:
  • Renfang Chang

    (Three-Gorges Reservoir Area (Chongqing) Forest Ecosystem Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yunqi Wang

    (Three-Gorges Reservoir Area (Chongqing) Forest Ecosystem Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Huifang Liu

    (China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), Beijing 100038, China)

  • Zhen Wang

    (School of Soil and Water Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China)

  • Lei Ma

    (Observation and Research Station of Ecological Restoration for Chongqing Typical Mining Areas, Ministry of Natural Resources, Chongqing Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chongqing 401120, China)

  • Jiancong Zhang

    (Three-Gorges Reservoir Area (Chongqing) Forest Ecosystem Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Junjie Li

    (Three-Gorges Reservoir Area (Chongqing) Forest Ecosystem Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Zhiyi Yan

    (Three-Gorges Reservoir Area (Chongqing) Forest Ecosystem Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yihui Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Danqing Li

    (Three-Gorges Reservoir Area (Chongqing) Forest Ecosystem Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

Non-point source (NPS) pollution poses a significant threat to the water environment, yet controlling it at the watershed scale remains a formidable challenge. Understanding the characteristics and drivers of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) outputs at the watershed scale, along with identifying cost-effective best management practices (BMPs), is crucial for effective pollution control. In this study, we utilized the Wangjiaqiao watershed within the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) as a case study to explore the characteristics of N and P load outputs and their dominant drivers by combining the SWAT model and a geographic detector. Based on our analysis of N and P loads within the watershed, we employed the entropy weight method to evaluate the reduction efficiency and cost-effectiveness of 64 BMP scenarios, encompassing seven measures (vegetative filter strips, parallel terraces, 10% fertilizer reduction, 30% fertilizer reduction, residue cover tillage, grass mulching, and returning farmland to forest) and their combinations. Our findings revealed the following: (1) spatial heterogeneity in NPS loads within the watershed, primarily influenced by land use, fertilizer application, and surface runoff, with interactive enhancement effects among driving factors; (2) the differential effectiveness of BMPs at the watershed level, with structural measures, particularly terracing, exhibiting higher efficacy and achieving reduction rates of 28.12% for total nitrogen (TN) and 37.69% for total phosphorus (TP); the combined BMPs showed improved reduction efficiency, but not merely additive; and (3) in terms of cost-effectiveness, 30% fertilizer reduction emerged as the most beneficial among the individual measures. Moreover, a combination of vegetative filter strips, parallel terraces, and 30% fertilizer reduction demonstrated significant improvements in TN and TP reductions (48.05% and 61.95%, respectively), suggesting their widespread applicability. Overall, our study provides insights into developing a cost-effective BMP strategy for the Wangjiaqiao watershed and offers valuable guidance for NPS pollution management in similar small watersheds within the TGRA.

Suggested Citation

  • Renfang Chang & Yunqi Wang & Huifang Liu & Zhen Wang & Lei Ma & Jiancong Zhang & Junjie Li & Zhiyi Yan & Yihui Zhang & Danqing Li, 2024. "Optimizing Non-Point Source Pollution Management: Evaluating Cost-Effective Strategies in a Small Watershed within the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:6:p:742-:d:1402357
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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