Guide to creating regional nutrient maps
In terms of nutrient recycling and the utilization of biomasses, it is essential to start measures by surveying the quantity and location of all biomasses for better management of nutrient flows. A deeper comprehension of nutrient balances can significantly diminish the risk of nutrient emissions into water bodies and also increases the opportunities for commercial utilization of biomasses in biogas production and the production of organic fertilizers.
As a part of FinBaltRecycling project, the Ministry of the Environment has commissioned a Guide to creating regional nutrient maps focusing on nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter.
Nutrient maps identify the nutrient surplus and deficit areas of a certain region and serve as tools for authorities, for example. This way it is possibly to estimate whether there is a risk of nutrient leaching to waterbodies, and whether nutrient-rich material could be transferred from the surplus areas to the deficit areas.
The guide provides guidance on, for example, what biomasses and related statistical data are needed for making the maps, what are the most common factors of error in the process and how data protection should be taken into account in the accuracy level, presentation and combination of data. Nutrient maps are also a valuable instrument to promote more targeted fertilization and development of regional fertilisation plans to reduce over-fertilisation and nutrient leaching to the Baltic Sea. The guide is made by AFRY.
The reference area in the guide is the nitrate sensitive area of Pandivere and Põltsamaa-Adavere in Estonia.
You can read the guide here