Author(s)

M. C. Cunha, T. Leitão, J. P. Lobo-Ferreira & L. S. G. Oliveira

Abstract

Integrated water resources management is an issue of major concern in Europe. Preoccupation with environmental matters has been dramatically increased by the growing impact of various activities, such as farming. In fact, diffuse pollution provoked by agricultural practices is among the environmental challenges for which preventive measures are needed to achieve a \“good status” regarding ecological and chemical parameters. Building models to support future decisions on better policies for rural land use planning (type of crops and associated fertilizers and treatment techniques) is crucial for achieving a sustainable development. This paper presents two decision models that aim to minimize diffuse pollution induced by agricultural land use and irrigation practices. Keywords: diffusion pollution, sustainable agriculture practices, better land use decision models. 1 Introduction Diffuse pollution produced by irrigation has become a major environmental problem and much research is being done into better land use (type of crops and their fertilizers, treatment techniques and irrigation practices), taking into consideration the vulnerability and risk concepts. Multidisciplinary approaches are needed if all the issues involved in the integrated management of land and water resources are to be represented. The decisions to be implemented should be carefully defined in order to achieve sustainable agricultural land use and production practices. The Water Framework Directive establishes a legal

Keywords

diffusion pollution, sustainable agriculture practices, better land use decision models