Towards nutrient neutrality: A review of agricultural runoff mitigation strategies and the development of a decision-making framework

Nutrient runoff from agriculture practices poses a significant risk to waterway health and can have long-lasting and complex implications for the environment, ecosystems, and the human population. Consequently, a systematic quan-titative literature review (SQLR) was conducted to identify different nutrient runoff mitigation strategies (NRMS) that are currently used globally to prevent or remediate environmental damage from excessive agricultural fertilisation. Empirical data on the outcomes from various NRMS from the reviewed studies were used to evaluate the strategies based on environmental benefit, implementation cost, and practicality perspectives. An overall assessment of the fea-sibility of NRMS was determined, and a macro-level assessment of the reported barriers preventing the widespread im-plementation of NRMS was provided. Identified research gaps and issues included a dearth of literature covering nutrient runoff mitigation, scepticism from agricultural landowners to voluntarily adopt policy without substantial in-centives, and a general lack of cost/benefit analyses, including an understanding of the uncertainty associated with NRMS that can inform decision-makers about effective and efficient strategies for different site situations. Synthesis of SQLR data facilitated the development of a comprehensive nutrient runoff decision-making framework which ad-dresses present limitations and provides site-specific NRMS recommendations for policymakers to implement.

Automated summary

Nutrient runoff from agriculture practices can have detrimental effects on waterway health and the environment. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and evaluate nutrient runoff mitigation strategies based on their environmental benefit, implementation cost, and practicality. The review highlighted research gaps and barriers to the widespread implementation of these strategies, such as a lack of literature on nutrient runoff mitigation and reluctance from agricultural landowners to adopt policies without incentives. The synthesis of review data facilitated the development of a comprehensive nutrient runoff decision-making framework for policymakers to implement site-specific strategies.