Title: Water Pollution by Agriculture (Phil Trans, Feb 2008.)
Summary:
Last July ecological expert Brian Moss wrote an article called Water Pollution by Agriculture in the scientific journal Philosophical Transactions analyzing the effects of agriculture on nearby waterways and strategies for rehabilitating contaminated ecosystems.
Topic: Sustainable land use
Category: Academic Research
What is it? This is an online article
Publication Information:
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Volume 363, Number 1491, / Feb 2008, Royal Society Publishing
URL: http://journals.royalsociety.org/content/8724r274331415x7/
Author: Brian Moss
Location: http://journals.royalsociety.org/content/8724r274331415x7/
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B
Support:
Brian Moss : Ecologist at University of Liverpool
Livestock grazing management impacts on stream water quality: Environmental review by Agouridis, C.T., Workman, S.R., Warner, R.C. & Jennings, G.D.
Non Point Pollution of surface waters with phosphorus and nitrogen: Environmental article/analysis by Carpenter, S.R., Caraco, N.F., Correll, D.L. and Howarth.
Influence of the organophosphorus insecticide phosphamidon on lentic water: Scientific article by Dhar, G., Barat, S. & Dhar, K. M.
These sources come together from different areas of research within environmental biology and ecology to provide a clear picture of the effects of agricultural water pollution. The main source, Brian Moss, uses data from an assortment of academic books and articles to develop his conclusions and recommendations.
Audience and Agenda:
Philosophical Transactions began publication in 1665, and has a long history of publishing scientific and mathematical breakthroughs throughout the centuries. In 1887 it was broken up into two separate journals, one dealing with mathematics and engineering and the other with science. The journal is published by the Royal Society of London for the improvement of Natural Knowledge, or just the Royal, which is a volunteer based body that conducts research and educational courses. The Royal was founded in 1660 and is funded by the United Kingdom.
Usefulness:
This article addresses the issue of sustainable land use from an academic standpoint. It uses research from a variety of sources to produce theories and possible solutions. It appeals to the academic community but serves as good reference for anyone concerned with agricultural water pollution. Moss makes the argument that today’s agricultural practices are damaging the nearby water systems and current management tactics need to reformed. Moss himself and the research he conducts is based out of Europe and surrounding states which leaves out details to how America specifically could best implement these his recommended practices. The National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides has a similar attitude on pesticides as it has written a petition urging the new U.S. administration to reform its pesticide policies.
Works Cited:
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
http://www.fao.org/docrep/W2598E/w2598e04.htm
Filed under: Source Notes
[...] This source is useful for answering whether the USDA should increase sustainable farming incentives because it is an example of one such incentive having a positive effect of the environment and a local farmer’s budget. Phil Hassinger was an ordinary farmer who was motivated by government farming incentives to reduce his farm’s energy consumption in return for compensation and tax breaks. Stories like Phil Hassinger are important for my argument because they are beneficial for the farmer and the environment. Through irrigation improvements farmers will be able to reduce pollution like that described in Brian Mosses article about agricultural water pollution. [...]