Marianne Bechmann

Research Professor

(+47) 412 19 506
marianne.bechmann@nibio.no

Place
Ås O43

Visiting address
Oluf Thesens vei 43, 1433 Ås

Biography

Agricultural effects on water quality. Nutrient losses from agriculture and effects of mitigation measures to reduce nutrient losses. Monitoring of diffuse pollution from small agricultural catchments. Identification of critical source areas. Implementation of mitigation strategies. Estimation of cost-effectiveness of mitigation measures.

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Division of Environment and Natural Resources

Mitigation measures for phosphorus and nitrogen under changing climate: conflicts and synergies


Nutrient concentrations, loads and stoichiometry (i.e., N:P ratio) in agricultural runoff affect the quality of surface waters. In Norway, the reduction of nutrient runoff is challenged by the sloped landscape, variable weather and changing climate with an increasing number of extreme hydrological events.
Mitigation measures for reducing nutrient losses are pressingly needed but they do not always work simultaneously or equally for both N and P, due to the differences in their agronomic and biogeochemical characteristics and dominant transport pathways. In support of decision-makers and farmers’ selection of effective mitigation measures, this project aims to increase the knowledge base on how nutrient, soil, crop, water and landscape management options affect P and N losses in runoff as well as N:P stoichiometry similarly or differently under variable weather conditions and changing climates, and to identify effective mitigation measures with climate-adaptation potential. The project will be conducted through an inventory, analysis and synthesis of available data in Norway to demonstrate how/where/when different management options have worked in reducing N and P concentrations and loads and changing N:P ratios, and potential conflicts and synergies in N and P reductions. The project will provide suggestions on mitigation measures that can be used by farmers for simultaneously reducing both N and P.

Active Updated: 08.11.2025
End: dec 2025
Start: jan 2024