MAGPIE: A modelling framework for evaluating nitrate losses at national and catchment scales

A national agri-environmental database and nitrate modelling system has bee n developed to support the UK government's nitrate policy development. The framework, 'MAGPIE', consists of a database and models linked within a Geog raphical Information System and provides a user interface which allows deta iled spatial and statistical investigation of the current state (data and m odel output) and the impact of changes in conditions or agricultural practi ce. Data on crops and livestock numbers taken from the annual agricultural census were modified in relation to land cover data derived from remote sen sing, and other sources. These data and data on climate, soils and altitude were interpolated to a 1 km grid. The models of nitrate loss were adapted to work with this data set while retaining as far as possible the salient f eatures of the more detailed models and data from which they were derived. The resulting Policy Decision Support System was found to give estimates of mean annual flow and nitrate load for agricultural catchments which matche d measured data closely. The system has contributed to work on a number of policy issues both within the UK and in the UK's contribution to internatio nal policy development on pollution derived from agriculture.