Evaluation of two simulation models as an environmental management tool for diffuse nitrate pollution
Résumé
In order to reduce the diffuse pollution risks from groundwater, agricultural development agencies are encouraging collective advisory activities with farmers. Could mathematical simulation models of water and nitrogen fluxes assist these people to prioritise changes in nitrogen management practices and to estimate their impact on the nitrate content of groundwater recharge waters? Here we present the results obtained during the evaluation of the ability of two models (STICS and AGRIFLUX) to simulate various agricultural scenarios of changes in land use and/or farming practices. These simulations confirm, a posteriori, the environmental value of an advisory operation and demonstrate the value of the models as an environmental management tool. Despite several differences, the data obtained by simulation with the two models are in quite good agreement.