Case study: Agricultural damage in the Norfolk broads

For this case study you need to know the causes, impacts and effects of agricultural damage to the Norfolk Broads fragile environment.



LOCATION: The Norfolk Broads are located in Norfolk and Suffolk in East England.



WHY IS IT A FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT: It has 200km of navigable waterways and is used by tourists. It is a beautiful area and attracts large amounts of wildlife particularly birds and fish. As a result of its natural beauty, the area was designated a UK National Park in 1989.

AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS AND IMPACTS


Fertilisers are used on farms in the area. This leads to nitrates being washed in to streams and rivers. These nitrates cause eutrophication. This is the process of nitrogen in the water causing algae to grow. Algae takes up all of the oxygen therefore fish ajd plant life dies. Barton broad is an example of one of the waterways where this is happening.

Too much water is being taken from the waterways for irrigation of farms. Rainfall in the area is very low so this extra water is being used. This is leading to very low river levels and again threatening plant and animal life in the rivers.

Sewage from the farms and surrounding settlements is also leading to the problem of nutrient enrichment in the Broads which has led to a severe loss of water life.

HOW IS THE AREA BEING MANAGED?

1. Additional equipment has been installed in sewage treatment to remove the harmful phosphates which cause nutrient enrichment.
2. Farmers is nitrate sensitive areas are being closely monitored and grants are being made available for environmentally friendly farmers.
3. In some areas such as the Barton Broad, the nutrient rich mud is being dredged to remove the harmful nutrients which cause eutrophication.