Coupling watershed modeling, public engagement, and soil analysis improves decision making for targeting P retention wetland locations

Abstract

Constructed and restored wetlands can be effective sinks for particulate and dissolved phosphorus (P) if properly managed, but identifying suitable P retention wetland locations remains challenging. From a landscape perspective, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models identify locations within target watersheds with high nutrient loads that exhibit appropriate site characteristics and hydrodynamics. However, soil properties vary at the field scale, dictating the capacity of wetland systems to remove P and ultimately determining if a given wetland will operate as a sink or source of P over time. Land ownership and site access further complicate identification of P retention wetland locations. As a result, optimization and identification of P retention wetland locations requires analysis at both 1) watershed and 2) field scales, and 3) public engagement. In response, a survey effort linked SWAT model results that identified locations with target watersheds with field soil P storage capacity data and interested landowners. Results suggest that several locations recommended for their high SWAT-predicted P loading and landowner interest were in fact not well suited for project implementation due to soil P saturation and legacy P constraints. These findings highlight the need to couple watershed models with field scale soils analysis to identify locations for P retention wetlands in order to avoid unintended P release. Additionally, increased collaboration with social scientists and others familiar with public engagement strategies is needed to improve outreach activities targeting regional water quality improvements. Practical applications for nutrient retention wetland site selection are also discussed.