Abstract
Fontanile is a Po Valley (Italy) quasi-natural lowland spring built in the middle age. This paper identifies options
for the conservation of the Fontanilewater dependent ecosystem, using scenarios and simulations, and exploring
different policy options. Three modeling analysis have been performed: the first was carried out for estimating
groundwater contamination and recharge from above, the second for evaluating the function of vegetative filter
strip on the surface water quality and the last one for testing pesticide drift reduction due to the vegetative filter
strip. Uncertainty characterization included climate change projections. Despite the nitrate concentration in
water could favorite the eutrophication phenomena, this not occurs because of the lowphosphate concentration
in water and of the presence of arboreal shade. Therefore, the protection strategies must focus on sustaining desirable
water quantity conditions. Water saving and conservation technologies that improve the agricultural productivity
but reduce the Fontanile water flow and large buffer strips that have a limited efficacy due to the Fontanile hydrological settings can be judged as ecological traps. Inefficient irrigation systems, good agricultural
practices, integrated pest management and arboreal filter strip can preserve the quality of those ecosystems.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 526-535 |
Numero di pagine | 10 |
Rivista | Science of the Total Environment |
Volume | 539 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2016 |
Keywords
- irrigation
- leaching
- pesticide