How can agricultural best management practices (BMPs) improve surface water quality?

Agricultural best management practices (BMPs) are strategies and techniques designed to reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming while enhancing agricultural productivity. Implementing practices like cover cropping and buffer zones is particularly effective in improving surface water quality.

Cover cropping involves planting crops that are not intended for harvest during the off-season. These crops help prevent soil erosion, improve soil health, and reduce nutrient runoff into nearby water bodies. The roots of cover crops hold the soil in place, which minimizes the amount of sediment that can wash away during rainfall events. This is significant because sediment can carry pollutants like fertilizers and pesticides into surface waters.

Buffer zones, which are areas of vegetation planted between agricultural land and water bodies, serve as a natural filtration system. They trap and absorb excess nutrients and sediments before they can enter the water. This buffer helps maintain the integrity of aquatic ecosystems and reduces the likelihood of harmful algal blooms, sedimentation, and other water quality issues that arise from agricultural runoff.

By adopting these BMPs, farmers not only contribute to the protection of water quality but also promote sustainable agricultural practices that can enhance resilience to climate change and improve the overall health of the environment. The combination of cover crops and buffer zones serves to mitigate the adverse effects of runoff and pollution