Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - 3:55 PM
206-6
Soil and Water Conservation in the Northeast USA: Agricultural Production, Environmental Protection, and Energy Efficiency.
Soil and water conservation programs in the Northeast USA region are strongly influenced by the large non-agricultural (urban) populations, the dominance of the livestock industry, and the presence of sensitive ecosystems, notably some Atlantic coast estuaries. Soil and water conservation issues in the Northeast have rapidly evolved from the traditional emphasis on erosion and runoff prevention to more holistic soil and water management. This has resulted in greater emphasis on the off-site impacts of land management, especially related to water quality. Watershed efforts have been initiated that generally target resources to a limited number of high-concern areas, such as the New York City water supply region and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Moreover, this has generated many research and implementation programs that address multiple contaminant sources, including nutrients and pathogens, in addition to the traditional emphasis on sediment. Recently, a renewed emphasis has been placed on the (in-situ) soil resource itself through programs on soil quality and health. New integrated soil health tests have been developed, and they are linked to soil management practices that enhance soil quality, such as no-tillage, cover cropping, etc. High-value agricultural sectors, such as viticulture, fruits and vegetables, as well as the urban sectors such as turfgrass and landscaping, are increasingly interested in better management of soil and water resources. Future programs will further increase the integrated and holistic management of the soil and its impact on water. New concerns include the challenges posed by the emerging bioenergy industry and the need to limit greenhouse gas impacts of farming.
Recorded presentation