agriculture

In the past, rivers have been straightened by cutting off meanders (historically, many rivers in northern and western Europe have been straightened and channelized to facilitate log floating and/or speed up the drainage of water and control/limit the river bed movements).ﾠ Re-meandering is bringing a river back closer to its naturally meandering state by creating a new meandering course and by reconnecting cut-off meanders.ﾠ Re-meandering slows down the flow of a river.ﾠ The new form of the river channel creates new flow conditions and very often also has an impact on sedimentation.ﾠ The newly created or reconnected meanders also provide habitats for a wide range of aquatic and land species of plants and animals.
- 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.

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.

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

Planting and maintaining tree cover in near-stream areas can have multiple benefits including erosion and nutrient leaching control. They will also slow the stream velocity during high flow flood events and may have beneficial effects on stream temperature. Maintaining treed forest buffers during clearcutting can help minimizing the adverse effects of forestry on water quality and may have additional biodiversity benefits.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

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

'Hard-edged' conveyance channels to move water between components in a SuDS 'train'.ﾠ Typically narrower than swales, but may also include vegetated aspects.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Early sowing refers to sowing up to six weeks before the normal sowing season.ﾠ This allows for an earlier and quicker development of crops and of a root network that leads to soil protection.ﾠ The period in which the soil lies bare is shorter and, therefore, erosion and run-off are less significant and water infiltration is improved.ﾠ Early sowing can also help to mitigate the extreme ETP rates typical of Mediterranean summers.ﾠ However, early sown plants are frost sensitive; therefore farmers run the risk of losing the crops because of the low temperatures.ﾠ In northern countries, temperature in spring (March) can be adequate but the risk of frost is still serious until May.ﾠ Therefore, early sowing requires specific tools (plastic tunnel covers, onsite green house, etc.) and cannot be applied by any farmers for any crops.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Gently sloping vegetated strips of land that provide opportunities for slow conveyance and infiltration. Designed to accept runoff as overland flow from upstream and to slow the progress of this runoff.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Shallow excavations filled with gravel or other material to create temporary storage and to enhance the natural capacity of the ground to infiltrate. Infiltration trenches would typically be used to intercept surface runoff drainage (e.g. drainage from roof or other impervious areas) or to convey water towards a detention pond.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission