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Cost-Effectiveness of Nutrient Management and Buffers: Comparisons of Two Spatial Scenarios

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

John G. Bonham ,
Darrell J. Bosch  and
James W. Pease
John G. Bonham
Affiliation:
Asheville, NC
Darrell J. Bosch
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
James W. Pease
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
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Abstract

Farmers and taxpayers would benefit from more cost-effective agricultural nutrient pollution control measures. The objectives of our study are (1) to assess compliance costs and reductions in phosphorus loadings from implementation of nutrient management and riparian buffers; and (2) to estimate how the spatial scenario, which is the method of representing farms within the watershed, affects estimated compliance costs and reductions in phosphorus deliveries. Estimated compliance costs are quite sensitive to the spatial scenario. Buffers are more cost-effective than nutrient management under one of the two spatial scenarios, whereas nutrient management is more cost-effective under the other scenario. Shifts to more erosive crops reduce the effectiveness of both pollution control measures.

Keywords

compliance costsgeographic information systems (GIS)mathematical programmingnutrient managementphosphorus (P)pollution abatementriparian buffersspatial analysisQ12Q52

Information

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 38 , Issue 1 , April 2006 , pp. 17 - 32
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2006

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