Nitrogen area balance balance from agriculture at municipal level (WMS Dienst)

Nitrogen balances (N-balances) are an important tool for quantifying nitrogen emissions (nitrogen surpluses) from agriculture. For the calculation of the N area balance, the N-inflow (on the agricultural area) is compared to the N-exit: N feeder — N discharge = N balance As part of the nationwide base emission monitoring, a N-area balance model is used, which was developed at the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute and adapted to the regional conditions in Lower Saxony. The result is nitrogen land balances at municipal level calculated on the basis of agricultural statistics, which can be recalculated with each appearance of the agricultural census or agricultural structure survey (every 3 to 4 years). The calculated N area balance shall be issued in [kg N/ha*a] in relation to the agricultural area (excluding set-aside areas). The shown N-area balance balances2016 are an important basis for calculating the potential nitrate concentration in leachate. The potential nitrate concentration is used to estimate the leachate quality at the lower boundary of the root space. It should be noted that the data of agricultural statistics on animal numbers and land use in the N-area balances have been collected according to the farm seat principle and therefore spatial shifts are possible. Detailed method description see: Methodology_Base_Emission monitoring_LBEG.pdf