title: Defining context-specific scenarios to design vegetated buffer zones that limit pesticide transfer via surface runoff.
abstract: When used in addition to environmentally friendly cultural practices, buffer zones can limit the water transfer of pollutants, in particular pesticides, towards water resources. The choice of the buffer zones' type and positioning, considering water pathways and flow components, is crucial. When this choice has been performed, buffer zones dimensions must still be optimized, according to the environment characteristics, which strongly influence their effectiveness. This article presents a method and its associated tools, including VFSMOD model, which aim at optimizing vegetative buffer zones (VFS) sizes, by simulating their transfer mitigation effectiveness. A first application of this methodology is illustrated on a small agricultural watershed in Brittany. A second application, based on the simulation of a large number of scenarios, leads to the elaboration of nomograms. They allow optimizing VFS size in a simpler way from the user's point of view.
authors.affiliation: Irstea, UR MALY, centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, 5 rue de la Doua-CS 70077, F-69626, Villeurbanne cedex, France. Electronic address: nadia.carluer@irstea.fr.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carluer
authors.affiliation: Irstea, UR MALY, centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, 5 rue de la Doua-CS 70077, F-69626, Villeurbanne cedex, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lauvernet
authors.affiliation: Irstea, UR MALY, centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, 5 rue de la Doua-CS 70077, F-69626, Villeurbanne cedex, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Noll
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 287 Frazier Rogers Hall, PO Box 110570, Gainesville, FL 32611-0570, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Munoz-Carpena
keywords: Buffer zone modelling; Process-based model; Shallow water table; VFS sizing; Vegetative filter strip; Watershed