The cow-calf industry and water quality in South Florida, USA: a review
2011
Silveira, Maria L. | Obour, Augustine K. | Arthington, John | Sollenberger, Lynn E.
Animal agriculture is often suggested as an important cause of water quality problems. This paper evaluates existing literature on the potential impacts of cow-calf production systems on water quality in South Florida, and provides a critical overview of the major gaps and limitations in the literature and present suggestions for future directions. Discrepancies in the literature suggest that there is a high degree of uncertainty associated with early estimates of the relative contribution of cow-calf operations to water quality problems in south Florida. Despite the extensive body of literature on this subject, limited information is available on the sources of P to the watershed and the relationship between land use, transport potential, water management, and climatic conditions controlling P loading. In addition, the relationships between urbanization, changes in land use, and potential impacts on water quality are important issues that have received little attention. Efforts should be placed on generating sound, science-based information about the real contribution of grazinglands to water quality issues. Maintaining and enhancing grazinglands and the natural resources associated with cow-calf ranches is essential to preserve Florida's unique ecosystems.
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