Appraisal of phosphorus and sediment transfer in three pilot areas identified for the catchment sensitive farming initiative in England: application of the prototype PSYCHIC model

The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative has recently identified 40 priority catchments where stakeholders require assistance with tackling harmful diffuse Pollution, including that associated with phosphorus (P) and sediment. Newly appointed Catchment Sensitive Farming Officers require appropriate means of targeting P and sediment mitigation methods. In this context, the prototype PSYCHIC (Phosphorus and Sediment Yield CHaracterization In Catchments) model was used to characterize three pilot catchments in England, namely: the Derwent-Cocker (626 km(2)), Teme (1623 km(2)) and Wensurn (689 km(2)). Modelled annual total P export from the Derwent-Cocker catchment is 1.2 kg ha(-1) year(-1), compared with 0.6 kg ha(-1) year(-1) from the Teme catchment and 0.9 kg ha(-1) year(-1) from the Wensum catchment. Corresponding sediment export is predicted at 271 kg ha(-1) year', 124 kg ha(-1) year(-1) and 70 kg ha(-1) year(-1), respectively. The findings highlight the importance of factors including P application rates, soil types and the increased connectivity provided by assisted drainage in determining pollution 'hotspots'. Model output is being used to engage stakeholders and devise abatement strategies.