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The cow-calf industry and water quality in South Florida, USA: a review

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Abstract

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Range Cattle Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 3401 Experiment Station, Ona, FL, 33865, USA

    Maria L. Silveira, Augustine K. Obour & John Arthington

  2. Agronomy Department, University of Florida, 2185 McCarty, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Lynn E. Sollenberger

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  1. Maria L. Silveira
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  2. Augustine K. Obour
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  3. John Arthington
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  4. Lynn E. Sollenberger
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Correspondence to Maria L. Silveira.

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Silveira, M.L., Obour, A.K., Arthington, J. et al. The cow-calf industry and water quality in South Florida, USA: a review. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 89, 439–452 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-010-9407-z

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