Diffuse agricultural pollution is a major contributor to water quality decline in the UK. Using fast growing woody tree species such as Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow can provide a simple and economical solution. This case study features a field trial of willow used for riparian protection to reduce nutrient run-off into the water environment. An experimental trial site was originally established at the Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI) Research Farm near Hillsborough, Co. Down, Northern Ireland (54.452264, -6.074844) to investigate the extent of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) run-off and drainage from an intensive agricultural livestock farming system. The study covers the set-up of the trial, data comparing P export in the surface run-off under SRC willow and grass, and estimated values of the impact of P removal, as well as potential income from biomass.
Read the full case study: Biofiltration blocks of Short Rotation Coppice willow used for riparian protection to reduce nutrient run-off into the water environment.
