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wiki:filtration_of_surface_water_by_ecosystem_types [2018/07/11 12:45] – created euracwiki:filtration_of_surface_water_by_ecosystem_types [2018/07/11 15:18] (current) eurac
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-====== Filtration of surface water by ecosystem types ======+====== Filtration of surface water by ecosystem types in the Alps ======
  
 Water purification is one of the many regulating services provided by ecosystems. Pollutants such as metals, oils, excess nutrients and sediment are processed and filtered\\ Water purification is one of the many regulating services provided by ecosystems. Pollutants such as metals, oils, excess nutrients and sediment are processed and filtered\\
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 induce excessive algal growth. The major causes of nutrient pollution are anthropogenic fertilizers, sewage, and industrial wastewater discharged into the environment. Thus, nitrogen is the focus of this set of indicators: “Filtration of surface water by ecosystem types”. Clearly, we would hope that the areas where nitrogen pollution is highest are also the areas where nature can most effectively filter it out. However, this is not always the case. It is thus important to examine how the two indicators in this set compare with one another. induce excessive algal growth. The major causes of nutrient pollution are anthropogenic fertilizers, sewage, and industrial wastewater discharged into the environment. Thus, nitrogen is the focus of this set of indicators: “Filtration of surface water by ecosystem types”. Clearly, we would hope that the areas where nitrogen pollution is highest are also the areas where nature can most effectively filter it out. However, this is not always the case. It is thus important to examine how the two indicators in this set compare with one another.
  
-====   Flow and Supply   ====+==== Flow and Supply ====
  
 {{:en:filtration_of_surface_water_flow-supply.jpg?nolink&500x354}} {{:en:filtration_of_surface_water_flow-supply.jpg?nolink&500x354}}
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 they mitigate nutrient pollution of waters, they can only occur where the nitrogen loads are already high. As the amount of ES delivered and the de facto utilized amount are equal, ES flow and supply are represented in the same map. they mitigate nutrient pollution of waters, they can only occur where the nitrogen loads are already high. As the amount of ES delivered and the de facto utilized amount are equal, ES flow and supply are represented in the same map.
  
-====   Demand   ====+==== Demand ====
  
 {{:en:filtration_of_surface_water_demand.jpg?nolink&500x353}} {{:en:filtration_of_surface_water_demand.jpg?nolink&500x353}}
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 [[http://www.alpes-webgis.eu/?X=952104.80&Y=5922790.13&zoom=6&lang=it&focus=focus_alpes&bgLayer=alpes.osm.stamentoner.60002&layers=alpes.alpinespace.40001.wms,alpes.essi.10071&catalogNodes=101000000,101000008&layers_opacity=1,0.7|View this map in the AlpES webGIS]] [[http://www.alpes-webgis.eu/?X=952104.80&Y=5922790.13&zoom=6&lang=it&focus=focus_alpes&bgLayer=alpes.osm.stamentoner.60002&layers=alpes.alpinespace.40001.wms,alpes.essi.10071&catalogNodes=101000000,101000008&layers_opacity=1,0.7|View this map in the AlpES webGIS]]
  
-The demand indicator for this regulating ES gives an impression of where nitrogen loads are highest across the Alpine Space. Although Nitrate pollution has several sources: agriculture, transports, industry, and energy, land use is the factor that contributes most substantially, as recognized in the EU Nitrates Directive (EC, 1991). For this reason, the demand indicator scores high values in the plains, where croplands and other arable land plots are located. The map looks therefore quite similar to the supply-flow map: montane areas score low values for both indicators, whereas valleys and flat zones, where agricultural use of the land prevails, experience a greater level of nutrient pollution, and therefore have higher demand rates. The European Commission has selected 50 mg/l of nitrate as the threshold above which water is considered to have excessive nutrients i.e. to be polluted. The values of this indicator should therefore be kept as low as possible – and ideally below the aforementioned concentration – to preserve a healthy ecosystem. Figure 3.5 shows the exceedance of nutrient critical loads across Europe for the year 2010. The Po valley is highlighted once again as a critical spot for nutrient pollution, with serious risk of eutrophication+The demand indicator for this regulating ES gives an impression of where nitrogen loads are highest across the Alpine Space. Although Nitrate pollution has several sources: agriculture, transports, industry, and energy, land use is the factor that contributes most substantially, as recognized in the EU Nitrates Directive (EC, 1991). For this reason, the demand indicator scores high values in the plains, where croplands and other arable land plots are located. The map looks therefore quite similar to the supply-flow map: montane areas score low values for both indicators, whereas valleys and flat zones, where agricultural use of the land prevails, experience a greater level of nutrient pollution, and therefore have higher demand rates. The European Commission has selected 50 mg/l of nitrate as the threshold above which water is considered to have excessive nutrients i.e. to be polluted. The values of this indicator should therefore be kept as low as possible – and ideally below the aforementioned concentration – to preserve a healthy ecosystem. Figure 3.5 shows the exceedance of nutrient critical loads across Europe for the year 2010. The Po valley is highlighted once again as a critical spot for nutrient pollution, with serious risk of eutrophication
 + 
 +{{:en:exceedance_of_nutrient_critical_loads.jpg?nolink&500x464}} 
 + 
 +<font 10px/inherit;;inherit;;inherit>Figure 3.5 Exceedance of critical loads for eutrophiation due to the deposition of nutrient nitrogen in 2010. Adapted from EEA 2010, “EU 2010 biodiversity baseline”.</font>
  
  
wiki/filtration_of_surface_water_by_ecosystem_types.txt · Last modified: 2018/07/11 15:18 by eurac