agriculture

Areas that are inundated by surface or ground water with frequency sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetative or aquatic life that requires saturated or seasonally saturated soil conditions for growth or reproduction.
Wetlands provide both stormwater attenuation and treatment, comprising shallow ponds and marshy areas covered in aquatic vegetation.ﾠ Wetlands detain flows for an extended period to allow sediments to settle and to remove contaminants.ﾠ They also provide runoff attenuation and can provide significant ecological benefits.

Water retention covers a wide set of mechanisms (see synthesis document n°1) the effect of which are to increase the capture of water by aquifers, soil, and aquatic and water dependent ecosystems.
More precisely it refers to capabilities of catchments (including wetlands, rivers and floodplains but also other land areas) to hold or retain as much water as possible during periods of abundant or even excessive precipitation, so that water is available for use during dry periods and runoff peaks are minimized.

Meadows are areas or fields whose main vegetation is grass, or other non-woody plants, used for mowing and haying.ﾠ Pastures are grassed or wooded areas, moorland or heathland, generally used for grazing. Due to their rooted soils and their permanent cover, meadows and pastures provide good conditions for the uptake and storage of water during temporary floods. They also protect water quality by trapping sediments and assimilating nutrients.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Nitrate, NO-3, is the main nitrogen containing anion occurring in the soil. It is very soluble and moves freely in water through the soil profile. Nitrate in water is a pollutant above certain concentrations and can be a danger to human health. The main source of nitrate in water is agriculture although sewage discharges can also be an important factor.

Reduced stocking density will limit soil compaction, thereby facilitating more rapid infiltration during precipitation events and potentially reducing peak flows and sediment runoff.
- Elaborated by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Traditional terraces consist of nearly level platforms built along contour lines of slopes, mostly sustained by stone walls, used for farming on hilly terrain.ﾠ When properly built and well maintained, terraces can reduce erosion and surface run-off by slowing rainwater to a non-erosive velocity.ﾠ So-called traditional terracing involves less disturbance of the terrain than modern terracing, as it does not involve significant levelling or cutting using heavy machinery.ﾠ
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Excavations, typically filled with gravel, designed to store water and allow it to infiltrate into underlying soils or aquifers.ﾠ Soakaways would typically receive point-source inflow (e.g. from roof drainage).ﾠﾠ
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Phosphates from agriculture are an important contributor to phosphorus loading on water bodies. Phosphorus is considered to be a limiting factor in the process of eutrophication that can generally be regarded as the enrichment of surface waters by nutrients which causes overgrowth of algae and weeds. The result is deoxygenation of waters that can kill fish and other aquatic life. Algae growth can also be a hazard to human health.