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11 - Nitrogen flows and fate in rural landscapes
- from Part III - Nitrogen flows and fate at multiple spatial scales
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- By Pierre Cellier, INRA, France, Patrick Durand, INRA, France, Nick Hutchings, University of Aarhus, Ulli Dragosits, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Mark Theobald, Technical University of Madrid/Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Jean-Louis Drouet, INRA, France, Oene Oenema, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Albert Bleeker, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, Lutz Breuer, Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Tommy Dalgaard, Aarhus University, Sylvia Duretz, INRA, France, Johannes Kros, Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Benjamin Loubet, UMR Environm & Grandes Cultures, Joergen Eivind Olesen, Aarhus University Department of Agroecology and Environment, Philippe Mérot, INRA, France, Valérie Viaud, INRA, France, Wim de Vries, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Mark A. Sutton, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 229-248
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- Chapter
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
The transfer of nitrogen by either farm management activities or natural processes (through the atmosphere and the hydrological network) can feed into the N cascade and lead to indirect and unexpected reactive nitrogen emissions.
This transfer can lead to large N deposition rates and impacts to sensitive ecosystems. It can also promote further N2O emission in areas where conditions are more favourable for denitrification.
In rural landscapes, the relevant scale is the scale where N is managed by farm activities and where environmental measures are applied.
Approaches
Mitigating nitrogen at landscape scale requires consideration of the interactions between natural and anthropogenic (i.e. farm management) processes.
Owing to the complex nature and spatial extent of rural landscapes, experimental assessments of reactive N flows at this scale are difficult and often incomplete. It should include measurement of N flows in the different compartments of the environment and comprehensive datasets on the environment (soils, hydrology, land use, etc.) and on farm management.
Modelling is the preferred tool to investigate the complex relationships between anthropogenic and natural processes at landscape scale although verification by measurements is required. Up to now, no model includes all the components of landscape scale N flows: farm functioning, short range atmospheric transfer, hydrology and ecosystem modelling.
10 - Nitrogen flows in farming systems across Europe
- from Part III - Nitrogen flows and fate at multiple spatial scales
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- By Steve Jarvis, University of Exeter, Nick Hutchings, University of Aarhus, Frank Brentrup, Yara International Centre, Jorgen Eivind Olesen, Aarhus University, Klaas W. van de Hoek, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 211-228
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- Chapter
- Export citation
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
Farms represent operational units which determine N-use efficiency and incorporation into products and, collectively, at the wider scale, determine the extent of environmental losses from agriculture.
The basic principles and objectives of using N, from whatever source, pertain to different systems across the wide range of farming types across Europe.
In addition to managing external inputs (fertilisers), there is much opportunity to improve N transfers within the farm. Mineral fertilisers are added to balance supply/demand for crops. Some systems rely on legume-N which, once incorporated into farm cycles, behaves in the same way as other N forms.
Approaches
Farm N cycles, their constituent parts and controlling influences are described and generalised principles identified.
Farm budgets for a range of systems, focussing on typical practice in NW Europe are shown which illustrate some general, important differences between farming systems.
Key findings/state of knowledge
Benefits of using N effectively are far reaching with immediate impact in promoting production. Use of N also provides an effective and flexible management tool for farmers.
Crop N requirements are determined from response curves and economic optima. Advice is supplied to farmers from various sources but the extent to which it is taken depends on many factors. New technologies are available to improve N-use efficiency. The basis of good N management is to optimise efficiency of added and soil N by increasing the temporal and spatial coincidence between availability and uptake of N.
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Implementing screening and brief alcohol interventions in primary care: views from both sides of the consultation
- Deborah Hutchings, Paul Cassidy, Emma Dallolio, Pauline Pearson, Nick Heather, Eileen Kaner
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- Journal:
- Primary Health Care Research & Development / Volume 7 / Issue 3 / July 2006
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 31 October 2006, pp. 221-229
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- Article
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Excessive drinking is a global health problem which is responsible for a wide range of both chronic and acute illness, and which costs the UK National Health Service (NHS) £1.7 billion annually. Current health policy aims to reduce alcohol-related problems by promoting early identification of risk followed by brief intervention to facilitate positive changes in drinking level or patterns of consumption. However, practical and philosophical barriers concerning screening and brief alcohol intervention have so far impeded its uptake in routine primary care. This qualitative study aimed to simultaneously explore and compare health professionals’ and patients’ views on the acceptability and feasibility of screening and brief alcohol intervention in primary care. Focus groups were held with (a) four primary care teams, (b) two general practitioner (GP) and two nurse groups and (c) six patient groups in the north-east of England. A thematic framework approach was used to analyse audio-taped data via transcripts. Both health professionals and patients reported that raising and discussing alcohol-related risk was acceptable in primary care, when combined with other lifestyle issues or linked to relevant health conditions. Targeted rather than universal screening was the most acceptable method of identifying alcohol-related risk and would fit well with existing practice. However, there was uncertainty among health professionals about the effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions and some disagreement with patients concerning who was best placed to deliver them. Health professionals felt that nurses were best placed for such work whilst patients reported that they would initially raise the subject with GPs. There was broad acceptance of brief intervention approaches but a lack of support and specific incentives for this work impeded its delivery in routine practice.