Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A GIS-based index for relating landscape characteristics to potential nitrogen leaching to wetlands

  • Published:
Landscape Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We developed a spatially-explicit, quantitative Nitrogen Leaching Index to assess the potential for non-point source subsurface nitrogen pollution to wetlands. The index was based on the leaching potential of the watershed soils, the amount of nitrogen available for leaching, and the spatial position of nitrogen sources in the watershed. A raster or cell-based geographic information system (GIS) was used to estimate the necessary data inputs for calculating the index, such as soil hydrologic group, land use/soil type combination, groundwater residence time, and location of septic systems. The Total and Average Watershed Nitrogen Leaching Index (TWNLI and AWNLI) were calculated by summing and averaging, respectively, individual cell contributions over a watershed.

Analysis of nine wetland watersheds in central New York state, USA, with mixed forest and agricultural land uses illustrated the use of the index for identifying and ranking wetlands with potential nitrogen pollution. Results showed that the spatial characteristics of a watershed potentially can effect subsurface nitrogen delivery to groundwater-dominated wetlands. The use of an index based on watershed soils, topography, and land use may be useful for assessing potential nitrogen pollution to wetlands at a regional scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aber, J.D. 1992. Nitrogen cycling and nitrogen saturation in temperate forest ecosystems. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 7: 220–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aber, J.D., Magill, A., Boone, R., Melillo, J.M., Steudler, P. and Bowden, R. 1993. Plant and soil reponses to chronic nitrogen additions at the Harvard Forest, Massachusetts. Ecological Applications 3: 156–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aber, J.D., Melillo, J.M., Nadelhoffer, K.J., Pastor, J. and Boone, R.D. 1991. Factors controlling nitrogen cycling and nitrogen saturation in northern temperate forest ecosystems. Ecological Applications 1: 303–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aerts, R. and Berendse, F. 1988. The effect of increased nutrient availability on vegetation dynamics in wet heathlands. Vegetatio 76: 63–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barry, D.A.J., Goorahoo, D. and Goss, M.J. 1993. Estimation of nitrate concentration in groundwater using a whole farm nitrogen budget. Journal of Environmental Quality 22: 767–775.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, A.L. 1970. Glacial history of the Fall Creek Valley at Ithaca, New York.In New York State Geological Society, Field Trip Guidebook, 42nd Annual Meeting, Cortland, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bormann, F.H. and Likens, G.E. 1979. Pattern and process in a forested ecosystem. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burrough, P.A. 1986. Principles of geographic information systems for land resource assessment. Clarendon Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, T.J. and Likens, G.E. 1995. A direct comparison of throughfall plus stemflow to estimates of dry and total deposition for sulfur and nitrogen. Atmospheric Environment 29: 1253–1265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, A.B. 1990. Nitrate depletion in the riparian zone and stream channel of a small headwater catchment. Hydrobiologia 202: 13–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornell University Department of Geology. 1959. Geology of the Cayuga Lake basin: A guide for the 31st annual field meeting of the New York State Geological Association. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 36 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Detenbeck, N.E., Johnston, C.A. and Niemi, G.J. 1993. Wetland effects on lake water quality in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Landscape Ecology 8: 39–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duxbury, J.M., Bouldin, D.R., Terry, R.E. and Tate, R.L., III. 1982. Emissions of nitrous oxide from soils. Nature 298: 462–464.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastman, J.R. 1992a. IDRISI. Technical Reference. Version 4.0. Clark University, Graduate School of Geography. Worchester, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastman, J.R. 1992b. IDRISI. User's Guide. Version 4.0. Clark University, Graduate School of Geography, Worchester, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenfeld, J.G. 1983. The effects of changes in land-use on swamps of the New Jersey Pine barrens. Biological Conservation 25: 353–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenfeld, J.G. and Schneider, J.R. 1991.Chamaecyparis thyoides wetlands and suburbanization: Effects on hydrology, water quality and plant community composition. Journal of Applied Ecology 28: 467–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, B.M. and Myers, W.L. 1990. A GIS-based approach to evaluating regional groundwater pollution potential with DRASTIC. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 45: 242–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeze, R.A. and Cherry, J.A. 1979. Groundwater. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gold, A.J., DeRagon, W.R., Sullivan, W.M. and Lemunyon, J.L. 1990. Nitriate-nitrogen losses to groundwater from rural and suburban land uses. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 45: 305–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodchild, M.F. 1993. Data models and data quality: Problems and prospects.In Environmental Modeling with GIS. pp. 94–103. Edited by M.F. Goodchild, B.O. Parks and L.T. Steyaert. Oxford University Press. New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groffman, P.M. and Tiedje, J.M. 1989. Denitrification in north temperate forest soils: Spatial and temporal patterns at the landscape and seasonal scales. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 21: 613–620.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groffman, P.M., Gold, A.J. and Simmons, R.C. 1992. Nitrate dynamics in riparian forests: Microbial studies. Journal of Environmental Quality 21: 666–671.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D.W. and Risser, D.W. 1993. Effects of agricultural nutrient management on nitrogen fate and transport in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Water Resources Bulletin 29: 55–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliday, S.L. and Wolfe, M.L. 1991. Assessing ground water pollution potential from nitrogen fertilizer using a geographic information system. Water Resources Bulletin 27: 237–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamlett, J.M., Miller, D.A., Day, R.L., Peterson, G.W., Baumer, G.M. and Russo, J. 1992. Statewide GIS-based ranking of watersheds for agricultural pollution prevention. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 47: 399–404.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, G.C., Groffman, P.M. and Gold, A.J. 1994. Symptoms of nitrogen saturation in a riparian wetland. Ecological Applications 4: 750–756.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heatwole, C.D. and Shanholtz, V.O. 1991. Targeting animal waste pollution potential using a geographic information system. Applied Engineering and Agriculture 7: 692–698.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A.R. 1990. Ground water flow paths in relation to nitrogen chemistry in the near-stream zone. Hydrobiologia 206: 39–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A.R. 1991. A ground water nitrogen budget for a headwater swamp in an area of permanent ground water discharge. Biogeochemistry 14: 209–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A.R. and Shackleton, M. 1989. Soil N mineralization and nitrification in relation to nitrogen solution chemistry in a small forested watershed. Biogeochemistry 8: 167–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinton, M.J., Schiff, S.L. and English, M.C. 1993. Physical properties governing groundwater flow in a glacial till catchment. Journal of Hydrology 142: 229–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, H.B.F. and Pacenka, S. 1985. BURBS. A simulation of the nitrogen impact of residential development on groundwater. Version 1.0. User's Manual. Center for Environmental Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jemison, J.M., Jr. and Fox, R.H. 1994. Nitrate leaching from nitrogen-fertilized and manured corn measured with zero-tension pan lysimeters. Journal of Environmental Quality 23: 337–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenson, S.K. and Domingue, J.O. 1988. Extracting topographic structure from digital elevation data for geographic information system analysis. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 54: 1593–1600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, C.A. 1991. Sediment and nutrient retention by fresh-water wetlands: Effects on surface water quality. CRC Critical Reviews in Environmental Control 21: 491–565.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, C.A., Detenbeck, N.E. and Niemi, G.J. 1990. The cumulative effect of wetlands on stream water quality and quantity. A landscape approach. Biogeochemistry 10: 105–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeney, D. 1986. Sources of nitrate to groundwater. CRC Critical Reviews in Environmental Control 16: 257–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaBaugh, J.W. 1986. Wetland ecosystem studies from a hydrologic perspective. Water Resources Bulletin 22: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, D.A., Hunsaker, C.T., Timmins, S.P. and Beauchamp, J.J. 1993. A geographic information system approach to modeling nutrient and sediment transport. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Environmental Sciences Division Publication Number 3993. Oak Ridge, TN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowrance, R., Todd, R., Fail, J., Jr., Hendrickson, O., Jr., Leonard, R. and Asmussen, L. 1984. Riparian forests as nutrient filters in agricultural watersheds. BioScience 34: 374–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNamara, J.P., Siegel, D.I., Glaser, P.H. and Beck, R.M. 1992. Hydrogeologic controls on peatland development in the Malloryville wetland, New York (USA). Journal of Hydrology 140: 279–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meisinger, J.J. and Randall, G.W. 1991. Estimating nitrogen budgets for soil-crop systems.In Managing Nitrogen for Groundwater Quality and Farm Profitability. pp. 85–124. Edited by R.F. Follett, D.R. Keeney and R.M. Cruse. Soil Science Society of America, Inc. Madison, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, D.R.J., Keddy, P.A., Gaudet, C.L. and Wisheu, I.C. 1989. Conservation of wetlands: Do infertile wetlands deserve a higher priority? Biological Conservation 47: 203–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, M.D. and Philipp, K.R. 1986. The effect of agricultural and residential development on aquatic macrophytes in the New Jersey pine barrens. Biological Conservation 35: 143–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, J.T. 1991. Effects of nitrogen loading on wetland ecosystems with particular reference to atmospheric deposition. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 22: 257–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, J.T., Whiting, G.J. and Chapelle, F.H. 1988. Potential denitrification rates in deep sediments from the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Environmental Science and Technology 22: 832–836.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neely, R.K. and Baker, J.L. 1989. Nitrogen and phosphorous dynamics and the fate of agricultural runoff.In Northern Prairie Wetlands. pp. 92–131. Edited by A.G. van der Valk. Iowa State University Press, Ames.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, L.L., Murray, R.E. and Smith, M.S. 1991. Soil denitrification dynamics: Spatial and temporal variations of enzyme activity, populations, and nitrogen gas loss. Soil Science Society of America Journal 55: 90–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petach, M.C, Wagenet, R.J. and DeGloria, S.D. 1991. Regional water flow and pesticide leaching using simulations with spatially distributed data. Geoderma 48: 245–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterjohn, W.T. and Correll, D.L. 1984. Nutrient dynamics in an agricultural watershed: Observations on the role of a riparian forest. Ecology 65: 1466–1475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, F.J., Shaffer, M.J. and Halvorson, A.D. 1991. Screening procedure for estimating potentially leachable nitrate-nitrogen below the root zone.In Managing Nitrogen for Groundwater Quality and Farm Profitability. pp. 259–283. Edited by R.F. Follett, D.R. Keeney and R.M. Cruse. Soil Science Society of America, Inc. Madison, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pionke, H.B. and Lowrance, R.R. 1991. Fate of nitrate in sub-surface drainage waters.In Managing Nitrogen for Groundwater Quality and Farm Profitability. pp. 237–257. Edited by R.F. Follett, D.R. Keeney and R.M. Cruse. Soil Science Society of America, Inc. Madison, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poiani, K.A. and Bedford, B.L. 1995. GIS-based NPS pollution modeling: Considerations for wetlands. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 50: 613–619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, S. and Simoens, P. 1994. NDSS Nitrogen Decision Support System. Version 1.02. User's Manual. Department of Soil, Crop and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivertun, A., Reinelt, L.E. and Castensson, R. 1988. A GIS method to aid in non-point source critical area analysis. International Journal of Geographic Information Systems 2: 365–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R.L. and Duff, J.H. 1988. Denitrification in a sand and gravel aquifer. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 54: 1071–1078.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spalding, R.F. and Parrott, J.D. 1994. Shallow groundwater denitrification. The Science of the Total Environment 141: 17–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Starr, R.C and Gillham, R.W. 1993. Denitrification and organic carbon availability in two aquifers. Ground Water 31: 934–947.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilman, D. 1986. Nitrogen-limited growth in plants from different successional stages. Ecology 67: 555–563.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tim, U.S. and Jolly, R. 1994. Evaluating agricultural nonpoint-source pollution using integrated geographic information systems and hydrologic/water quality model. Journal of Environmental Quality 23: 25–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tim, U.S., Mostaghimi, S. and Shanholtz, V.O. 1992. Identification of critical nonpoint pollution source areas using geographic information systems and water quality modeling. Water Resources Bulletin 28: 877–887.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Soil Conservation Service. 1965. Soil Survey. Tompkins County, New York. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Kessel, C., Pennock, D.J. and Farrell, R.E. 1993. Seasonal variations in denitrification and nitrous oxide evolution at the landscape scale. Soil Science Society of America Journal 57: 988–995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ventura, S.J. and Kim, K. 1993. Modeling urban nonpoint source pollution with a geographic information system. Water Resources Bulletin 29: 189–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Engeln, O.D. 1959. The Finger Lakes region: Its origin and nature. Cornell University, Ithaea, NY. 156 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, S.J., Lightfoot, D.R. and Butler, D.R. 1987. Recognition and assessment of error in geographic information systems. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 53: 1423–1430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiskel, P.K. and Howes, B.L. 1991. Quantifying dissolved nitrogen flux through a coastal watershed. Water Resources Research 27: 2929–2939.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J.R. and Kissel, D.E. 1991. Water percolation: An indicator of nitrogen-leaching potential.In Managing Nitrogen for Groundwater Quality and Farm Profitability. pp. 59–83. Edited by R.F. Follett, D.R. Keeney and R.M. Cruse. Soil Science Society of America, Inc. Madison, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winter, T.C. 1981. Uncertainties in estimating the water balance of lakes. Water Resources Bulletin 17: 82–115.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Karen A. Poiani

    Present address: The Nature Conservancy, 1313 Fifth St. SE, #314, 55414, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Environment, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Karen A. Poiani

  2. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Barbara L. Bedford

  3. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Michael D. Merrill

Authors
  1. Karen A. Poiani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Barbara L. Bedford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michael D. Merrill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Poiani, K.A., Bedford, B.L. & Merrill, M.D. A GIS-based index for relating landscape characteristics to potential nitrogen leaching to wetlands. Landscape Ecol 11, 237–255 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02071814

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02071814

Keywords

Search

Navigation