We use mathematical simulation models to estimate losses of nitrogen and phosphorous from Swedish arable land. These calculations are used to help evaluate the current situation, supporting work towards the national environmental goal ‘Zero eutrophication’, and also in an international perspective, with Sweden’s reports, for example to HELCOM and OSPAR. An additional objective with this modeling work is to enable impact assessments and scenario calculations, for example on how changes in land use and management or climate are likely to affect leaching. We are also developing a decision-support tool to support the development of cost-effective mitigation programs against eutrophication of lakes, water-courses and coastal waters, by linking the costs of various mitigation practices to their expected environmental benefits.
We use the modeling tool NLeCCS which incorporates the simulation models SOILNDB and ICECREAMDB for nitrogen and phosphorus losses, respectively. Trends in estimated losses are continuously tracked by making the national loading calculations at regular intervals (every 3rd to 5th year), and at a high spatial resolution for the whole of Sweden.
Our group is part of the SLU Water Hub and is a collaborative partner in the SMED consortium (Swedish Environmental Emissions data).
