Set Of Best Management Practices Research Articles

Evaluation of the costs of agricultural diffuse water pollution abatement in the context of Lithuania’s water protection goals and climate change

This study aimed at evaluating the scale and costs of an environmentally and economically optimal set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for agricultural pollution abatement in Lithuania in order to reach water protection goals in both inland and marine waters by distributing BMPs optimally in space, while taking climate change impacts into consideration. The assessment of BMPs impact involved the use of the SWAT model by applying two climate change representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and two time horizons (mid-century and end-century), as well as five BMPs (arable land conversion to grasslands, reduced fertilization, no-till farming, catch-crops, and stubble fields throughout winter). The optimization of the set of BMPs employed a genetic algorithm. The results suggest that the need for BMPs application will increase from 52% of agricultural areas in the historical period up to 65% by the end of century in the RCP8.5 scenario. This means less arable land could actually be used for crop production in the future if water protection targets are met. The high costs for reaching water targets would rise even more, i.e. by 173% for RCP4.5, and by 220% for the RCP8.5 scenario, reaching approximately 200 million euros/year. In such a context, the BMP optimization approach is essential for significant reduction of the costs. Winter cover crops and reduced fertilization show the best effectiveness and cost balance, and will therefore be essential in pursuing water protection targets.

A Consideration of Wildlife in the Benefit-Costs of Hydraulic Fracturing: Expanding to an E3 Analysis

High-volume hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale (underlying about 24 mil ha in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, and Virginia) has become a politically charged issue, primarily because of concerns about drinking water safety and human health. This paper examines fracking in the Marcellus region, and the tradeoffs between the energy and economic potential of natural gas extraction and the environmental impacts on wildlife. Therefore, we introduce a new E3 analysis that combines the costs and benefits as regards energy, economics, and the environment. The Marcellus Shale has the most proven reserves of natural gas of any basin in the United States, at 129 trillion cubic feet. Income from natural gas development comes primarily from direct and indirect jobs, and induced jobs (those created when direct workers spend their earnings in a community), taxes and fees, and royalty and lease payments to rights holders. Fracking, however, has detrimental effects on wildlife and wildlife habitats. Terrestrial habitat effects are primarily due to landscape fragmentation from the clearing of land for pipeline and well pad development, which often removes mature forest and creates open corridors and edge habitats. An increase in forest edge and open corridors is associated with shifts in the bird community, as generalist species that do well around people increase in abundance, while forest specialists decline. Invasive plants associated with disturbance further degrade forest habitats. Aquatic habitats are also affected, both directly and indirectly. Hydraulic fracturing requires up to 20 mil L of water per well fracture, most of which comes from surface water sources in the Marcellus region. The removal of water, especially in smaller headwaters, can increase sedimentation, alter water temperature and change its chemistry, resulting in reductions in aquatic biodiversity. Given the reality that hydraulic fracturing will continue, there is a need to develop practices that best minimize negative impacts on terrestrial and aquatic habitats, as well as policies and the resolve to enforce these practices. To achieve a more sustainable balance between economic, energy, and environmental costs and benefits, we recommend that industry, scientists, non-governmental organizations, mineral rights holders, landowners, and regulators work together to develop a set of best management practices that represent the best knowledge available.

World Class Manufacturing performance measurement using a maturity model and the FlowSort method

The World Class Manufacturing (WCM) system is a set of best management practices that can provide organisations with significant performance results. At the same time, since organisations are in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment, it is important that they continually assess this environment and, thereby, gain situational understanding to perceive and seize opportunities and threats, and consequently apply management practices strategically. Therefore, this paper proposes and empirically validates a model for evaluating the maturity of organisations when applying the WCM system. The authors combined the insights they had from the literature with opinions of WCM experts to develop the model. To support the problem of classifying organisations into the maturity levels defined, the FlowSort multicriteria method was used. The proposed model was applied in four companies and received a good evaluation and acceptance by those involved. This corroborated with the feasibility and usability of this instrument, in addition to which this method by proposing a new tool for evaluating the performance of production systems of companies that use WCM, in a VUCA environment, is intended as a contribution to the literature.

Water Policy for Sustainable Management: A Review

Water is essential for life and sustainable development. The demand for the world's increasingly scarce water supply is rising rapidly, challenging its availability for food production and putting global food security at risk. Managing water resource is essential for the international community to deliver the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Water is the foundation of sustainable development as it is the common denominator of all global challenges: energy, food, health, peace & security, and poverty eradication. This research review addresses the factors for increasing global fresh water use per year, global water policy for sustainable management, challenges, traits and opportunities with the conclusion of determining the best practice of water policy for the future generation. The world population increased from year to year due to increasing population, economic development and climate change. As a result, water resource policy which encompasses the policy-making processes that addresses provision, use, disposal and sustainability decisions, as well as, how policies created, executed, and amended by adopting set of best management practices to govern water management is the primary concern. Thus, to achieve sustainable water management; planning, development and management of water resources with best water policy that includes a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach in which technical, environmental, economic, landscape aesthetics, societal and cultural issues addressed. Keywords : Global freshwater use, Sustainable water management, Global Water policy, Water DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/72-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

Off-highway vehicle recreation in drylands: A literature review and recommendations for best management practices

Around the world the rapid expansion of off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation into arid and semi-arid lands has resulted in significant environmental and social costs. This paper reviews our current understanding on the ecological and social effects of OHVs on dryland environments. Based on research and existing management guidelines, the paper compiles a set of best management practices to minimize impacts during system design, and provides management strategies to further reduce impacts after route designation. The review found that OHVs have impacts to multiple resources that include soil compaction and erosion, trampling of vegetation, as well as wildlife habitat loss, disturbance, and direct mortality. Conflict among user groups has also been identified as occurring with non-motorized user groups being displaced. Vandalism of archaeological and cultural resources along OHV routes has also been documented. Gaps in our understanding still exist, and research needs are also presented. Knowledge of the most current research and the use of best management practices can help guide land managers to minimize conflict and resource damage. Management implicationsThe paper summarizes the possible impacts by OHVs on ecological and social issues based on an extended literature review. To avoid ecological damage and user conflicts, management and planning should be based on:•An inventory collecting baseline information on the route system as well as on the surrounding landscape covering all environmental and social issues•An impact assessment considering the most up-to-date literature, and local resource conditions•Design of a route network minimizing use of ecologically sensitive areas and conflicts among user groups•Implementation of additional mitigation strategies and monitoring after designating a system of routes.

Determining the robust optimal set of BMPs for urban runoff management in data-poor catchments

Mismanagement of urban runoff can result in inundation which causes serious problems in providing urban services. Best management practices (BMPs) are used for urban runoff management. In this study, a method is proposed to determine the robust optimal set of BMPs for runoff management in data-poor catchments in urban areas. This method includes five main steps: (1) Sensitivity analysis to determine effective parameters in rainfall-runoff simulation model, (2) Calibration of the rainfall-runoff model based on selected effective parameters, (3) Developing a multi-objective optimization model to obtain the optimal sets of BMPs, (4) Selecting the final solutions using the Nash approach for ranking, (5) Evaluation of the robustness of the selected solution using the Management Option Rank Equivalence method. The proposed method is examined in an urban basin located in the north of Tehran, Iran. The results show that the proposed approach provides reliable results for urban runoff management in data-poor areas.

Practices that Support Coexistence: A Survey of Alfalfa Growers

Core Ideas Genetically engineered alfalfa adoption is higher in areas where alfalfa is not exported. Most respondents practice coexistence strategies, but only 4% test hay seed prior to planting. No respondents in Washington reported testing seed, despite reporting the highest level of export. Growers underestimate the risk of seed spillage during planting and seed harvest and transport. Hay and seed growers need education about transgene dispersal risk and coexistence practices. The alfalfa industry has worked hard to foster the coexistence of genetically engineered and conventional alfalfa production by developing a set of best management practices that aim to limit adventitious presence (AP) of genetically engineered traits in conventional seed. The general goal is to minimize transgene movement by controlling inadvertent admixture (in this case admixture refers to genetically engineered material in conventional seed lot) or gene flow using practices that ensure seed is pure, sanitation is prioritized (i.e., avoidance of seed mixing), spillage is minimized, and pollination is prevented. However, the success of coexistence is dependent on grower adoption, which has not been monitored. To assess adoption we surveyed 530 alfalfa hay and seed producers in three major alfalfa production areas in the western United States in 2013. Based on a 33% response rate, we found that although many respondents reported practices that supported coexistence, the survey identified differences in grower perception and practices in the three states surveyed and identified perceptions and practices that may undermine coexistence. We found that very few respondents (4%) tested hay seed prior to planting, and no respondents in Washington reported testing seed despite reporting the highest level of export. Growers also underestimated the risk of seed spillage during planting and seed harvest and transport. Most respondents controlled feral plants, but control was limited to their own property. Some respondents were using glyphosate to control volunteers and roadside plants. Management of hay fields also varied in terms of cutting time, frequency of delayed cutting, and occurrence of field obstructions that prevented cutting. Our survey suggested that grower education would benefit coexistence, as would research to better understand the potential of genetically engineered hay fields to contribute to economically adverse AP.

Finding a state of sustainable wine: implications for sustainable viticulture and oenology in New Jersey, USA

New Jersey is the most urbanised state in the USA, yet positioned as a sustainable wine region of the world. The methodology includes a thorough literature review of sustainable wine combined with a quantitative and qualitative survey of wineries in New Jersey. Data collected from 71% of wineries demonstrate sustainable opportunities for developing wine regions. A variety of conclusion is drawn from the research. First, farmers are generally sustainable at a small scale and employ a variety of sustainable best management practices. Second, support from the growers association and government would advance sustainability. Third, additional funding would expedite this move; many of New Jersey wines are already labelled or marketed as sustainable. By creating a certification, guidelines, or set of best management practices, New Jersey could differentiate and improve sales locally, nationally and even globally. These lessons can be applied to other developing wine regions of the world.

Forecasting the Genetic Impacts of Net Pen Failures on Gulf of Mexico Cobia Populations Using Individual-based Model Simulations

Offshore net pen fish farming provides a cost-efficient means for production of marine finfish, and there is great interest in development of net pen operations in domestic waters. However, there are concerns over the possible genetic and ecological impacts that escaped fish may have on wild populations. We used individual-based simulations, with parameter values informed by life history and genetic data, to investigate the short-term (50 yr) impacts of net pen failures on the genetic composition of cobia, Rachycentron canadum, stocks in the Gulf of Mexico. Higher net pen failure rates resulted in greater genetic impacts on the wild population. Additionally, the use of more genetically differentiated source populations led to larger influxes of non-native alleles and greater temporal genetic change in the population as a result of net pen failure. Our results highlight the importance of considering the appropriate source population for broodstock collection in net pen aquaculture systems and help to provide a general set of best management practices for broodstock selection and maintenance in net pen aquaculture operations. A thorough understanding of the genetic diversity, stock structure, and population demography of target species is important to determine the impact escapees can have on wild populations.

Restoring the Greater: Everglades Ecosystem

Restoring the Greater: Everglades Ecosystem

ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALLHOLDER IRRIGATION AND DERIVING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SOUTH AFRICA

ABSTRACTThe performance of smallholder irrigation schemes is multidimensional and can be looked at from different perspectives. This study assessed the technical performance of the Mooi River irrigation scheme (MRIS) to derive a comprehensive set of best management practices (BMPs). This was done acknowledging that the farmer is now the water manager, in line with participatory irrigation management (PIM) and irrigation management transfer (IMT) concepts. Five performance indicators related to water supply and delivery and agricultural performance were assessed through the field measurement method during spring and summer of the 2010/2011 season. Farmers were interviewed through a questionnaire to gather suggestions on ways to improve the performance of their scheme. Their responses helped in the selection of the BMPs for the scheme which were then ranked using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The results show a scheme average conveyance efficiency of 86.4%, maximum dependability of irrigation interval between water applications of 2.57 in spring and the scheme relative irrigation supply of 1.48. Agricultural performance indicators—output per unit irrigation supply and water productivity (ET)—were found to be 0.64 and 5.37 kg m‐3, respectively. Irrigation scheduling was the most preferred BMP by the farmers, while volumetric measurement of irrigation water used by each block was the least preferred. This study concludes that water management in smallholder schemes is poor, thus affecting performance of these schemes, and that farmers are aware of the problems and possible solutions to perennial problems hindering performance in smallholder schemes. The study recommends deepening farmers' participation in policy formulation and derivation of BMPs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Upper Chester River watershed: Lessons learned from a focused, highly partnered, voluntary approach to conservation

T he Chesapeake Bay has been the focus of restoration efforts for the past 30 years. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is 168,000 km2 (64,000 mi2) and is shared among six states—Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and New York—and Washington, DC. In 2009, President Obama issued an Executive Order to Protect and Restore the Chesapeake Bay, outlining specific directives intended to meet water quality goals by 2025. Among other things, it directed the establishment and implementation of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), often referred to as a “pollution diet,” which sets limits on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment and divides those loads into individual states and watersheds. Each of the Chesapeake Bay states developed Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs), detailing how they would meet the TMDLs for the watersheds in their states. The WIPs addressed all of the different sources of pollution that contributed to their nutrient and sediment loads and set specific goals for a set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that would reduce the load to the TMDL levels by 2025. Further, the plans were divided into two-year milestones, so that the states could periodically measure their progress. The Executive Order strategy also established three showcase watersheds in…

Best Management Practices for Invasive Crane Flies in Northeastern United States Sod Production

Two species of crane flies (Diptera: Tipuloidea) introduced from Europe, Tipula oleracea L. and T. paludosa Meigen, have become established across portions of northeastern United States and present an economic concern to the production sod industry. The presence of both species in northeastern U.S. sod production fields was confirmed in 2009, and on two separate occasions T. paludosa larvae were detected after delivery of sod from producer to consumer. Infestation of production fields poses a threat to the quality of the developing sod product as well as a conduit for human-mediated range expansion of an invasive species. As the unintentional transport of larvae in shipments of sod is a major repercussion, much of the burden from invasive crane fly establishments may fall on the consumer. We propose and explain a core set of best management practices for consideration and adoption by sod producers in northeastern U.S. Crane fly life history and ecology is first discussed as a key element to recognizing and locating infestations in production fields. The scientific rationale behind our recommendations for interventions is then discussed with respect to basic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) elements (monitoring populations, damage thresholds, cultural management, chemical and biological control). The recommendations are further summarized in a checklist with respect to sod production cycle (preharvest, harvest, postharvest). The goal of these practices is the prevention of in-field infestations, the protection of developing sod, the assurance of crane fly-free shipments, and the safeguarding of commercial customers.

BMP: Ribbon Barriers

ABE-383, a 2-page illustrated fact sheet by Kati W. Migliaccio, Brian Boman, Jemy Hinton, and Kevin Hancock, addresses a specific set of Best Management Practices that can be described as ribbon barriers. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, October 2008.

Carbon sequestration and farm income in West Africa: Identifying best management practices for smallholder agricultural systems in northern Ghana

The interest in agricultural soils as global storage of carbon has increased in recent years, along with the prospect of farmers' participation in payment schemes under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto protocol. Thus, a better understanding of agricultural practices that can increase soil carbon and enhance the livelihoods of farmers is necessary, particularly in smallholder farming systems of West Africa. This study evaluates different crop management strategies both by their capacity to sequester carbon in agricultural soils and by their contribution to household income. A case study in Wa, Upper West Region of Ghana is used to test 48 different cropping strategies by means of a crop simulation model and a household-level multiple-criteria optimisation model. Each cropping strategy is evaluated after a 20-year simulation period by its capacity to accrue carbon in the soil, by its economic performance at the plot-level, and by its contribution to the farm income with and without carbon payments. A set of best management practices that concomitantly increase soil carbon and farm income are identified and classified by their cost of investment.

Best management practices for automobile salvage yards

This paper collects a group of best management practices (BMPs) that outline the techniques needed to establish an environmentally friendly automobile recycling facility. Using common as well as unique BMPs from several different states, a full but not detailed set of management practices has been established. Since every facility is different, each facility will need a set of BMPs that meets its specific needs. However, the integrity behind the BMPs must remain the same. Its main purpose is to reduce the amount of pollutants seeping into and contaminating the underground water supply. If these BMPs are properly applied to every automobile salvage yard it will greatly reduce groundwater pollution and create a safer working environment for all employees.