Nitrogen leaching from natural ecosystems under global change: a modelling study

Stoichiometric flexibility in terrestrial ecosystems under global change

Process-understanding of marine nitrogen fixation under global change

In view of the current increase in atmospheric pCO2 and concomitant changes in the marine environment, it is crucial to assess, understand, and predict future responses of ecologically relevant phytoplankton species. The diazotrophic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium erythraeum was found to respond strongly to elevated pCO2 by increasing growth, production rates, and N2 fixation. The magnitude of th...

Nitrogen leaching from conventional versus organic farming systems — a systems modelling approach

The level of nitrogen leaching from organic compared to conventional farming was evaluated by using a systems modelling approach. Two different methods were used for estimating and evaluating nitrate leaching. A simple function was used in which nitrate leaching is dependent on percolation, soil clay content, average nitrogen input and crop sequence. A nitrogen balance model was used to estimat...

Yield and nitrogen leaching in maize field under different nitrogen rates and partial root drying irrigation

Irrigation water is limiting for crop production in arid and semi-arid areas. Furthermore, excess nitrogen (N) application is a source of groundwater contamination. Partial root drying irrigation (PRD) can be used as water saving technique and a controlling measure of groundwater N contamination. The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the effect of ordinary furrow irrigation (OFI...

Modelling pesticide leaching under climate change: parameter vs. climate input uncertainty

Assessing climate change impacts on pesticide leaching requires careful consideration of different sources of uncertainty. We investigated the uncertainty related to climate scenario input and its importance relative to parameter uncertainty of the pesticide leaching model. The pesticide fate model MACRO was calibrated against a comprehensive one-year field data set for a well-structured clay s...