Whole-system phosphorus balances as a practical tool for lake management

Johanna Schussler; Lawrence A. Baker; Hugh Chester-Jones

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.09.009

Treesearch

Whole-system phosphorus balances as a practical tool for lake management

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Johanna Schussler, Lawrence A. Baker, Hugh Chester-Jones

Year:

2007

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.09.009

Source:

Ecological Engineering. 29: 294-304.

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Abstract

Controlling phosphorus (P) inputs to lakes remains a priority of lake management. This study develops watershed P balances for 11 recreational lakes in Minnesota. Areal P input rates to the watersheds ranged from 0.32 to 6.0 kg Pha^-1 year^-1 and was linearly related to the percentage of watershed in agriculture. Watershed P retention ranged from 10% to 89% of input P. Although many best management practices work to increase P retention (by trapping P in basins; reducing erosion; filtration), P retention is not sustainable indefinitely, particularly in "hot spots" such as septic leach fields and heavilymanured fields. The watershed P balance tool is a framework that can allow watershed managers to develop novel strategies for managing P. P management strategies should be developed to keep P inputs and exports in balance so that P does not accumulate; long-term P accumulation is not sustainable and can eventually lead to lake eutrophication.

Keywords

phosphorus, watershed, lake management, phosphorus accumulation, phosphorus retention

Citation

Schussler, Johanna; Baker, Lawrence A.; Chester-Jones, Hugh. 2007. Whole-system phosphorus balances as a practical tool for lake management. Ecological Engineering. 29: 294-304.