Climate Change Impacts on Surface Runoff and Nutrient and Sediment Losses in Buchanan County, Iowa

Nonpoint source pollution from cultivated croplands has often been associated with downstream water quality impairment in various watersheds. Given projected changes global climate patterns, this study contributes to the existing literature by elucidating impacts of projections on edge-of-field surface runoff and sediment nutrient losses. We apply a well-tested ecohydrological model, Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX), continuous corn corn–soybean fields Buchanan County, Iowa, using scenarios developed three well-known representative concentration pathway (RCP) projections: RCP 2.6, 4.5, 8.5. Our results indicate that there will be moderate substantial increase runoff, sediment, losses depending upon reference point comparison (baseline scenario) which scenario actually materializes. However, regardless materializes baseline for comparison, soluble nitrogen are bound increase, magnitude scenario. find also higher than fields, given tillage practices implemented versus soybeans area. Similarly, we may receive manure only inorganic fertilizer, though latter finding predicated specific application rates utilized.