Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2012MD286B

Forest N retention in the Chesapeake Bay watershed: A role in water quality restoration? (Graduate Fellowship)

Institute: Maryland
Year Established: 2012 Start Date: 2012-03-01 End Date: 2013-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $6,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $18,497

Principal Investigators: Kaye Brubaker, Keith Eshleman

Project Summary: Forests have been established to be major nutrient sinks, however there are extensive knowledge gaps in the hydrological and biotic retention capacities of these systems. In the face of changing climate, decreasing wet N-deposition patterns, and maturing forest, steps must be taken to fully quantify N-export. This project addresses forest N-retention through a multi-faceted approach that utilizes isotopic, hydrologic, water quality, and remote sensing analyses to develop a simple dynamic stream NO3-N model. Further understanding of N-dynamics within forest may offer municipalities and individuals the necessary information to make cost-effective and justified management decisions in face of EPA TMDL’s.