Assessing nitrogen dynamics in European ecosystems, integrating measurement and modelling: conclusions

This contribution closes this special issue of Hydrology and Earth System Sciences concerning the assessment of nitrogen dynamics in catchments across Europe within a semi-distributed Integrated Nitrogen model for multiple source assessment in Catchments (INCA). New developments in the understanding...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: A. J. Wade, C. Neal, D. Butterfield, M. N. Futter
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2004
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/8/846/2004/hess-8-846-2004.pdf
https://doaj.org/article/808172757a8946cf92bd4e02778e359a
Description
Summary:This contribution closes this special issue of Hydrology and Earth System Sciences concerning the assessment of nitrogen dynamics in catchments across Europe within a semi-distributed Integrated Nitrogen model for multiple source assessment in Catchments (INCA). New developments in the understanding of the factors and processes determining the concentrations and loads of nitrogen are outlined. The ability of the INCA model to simulate the hydrological and nitrogen dynamics of different European ecosystems is assessed and the results of the first scenario analyses investigating the impacts of deposition, climatic and land-use change on the nitrogen dynamics are summarised. Consideration is given as to how well the model has performed as a generic tool for describing the nitrogen dynamics of European ecosystems across Arctic, Maritime, Continental and Mediterranean climates, its role in new research initiatives and future research requirements. Keywords: nitrogen, nitrate, ammonium, phosphorus, catchments, streams, rivers, river basins