Research: Optimizing Water Quality and Quantity in Agricultural Systems
SUNY New Paltz
Environmental Science and Geology Program of SUNY New Paltz provides a rigorous education in geology, chemistry, biology, and math with an emphasis on environmental problem-solving, creative thinking and teamwork.
Investigating Water Quality Dynamics in the Lower Esopus Creek: Impacts of Changing Land Management Practices and Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives
The lower Esopus Creek, vital to farming communities in its watershed, faces threats to its water quality as it traverses developed environments. This study examines how evolving land management practices influence water chemistry parameters over multiple growing seasons. Specifically, it assesses the effectiveness of environmentally friendly practices implemented by the Hudson Valley Farm Hub (HVFH) in reducing water contamination and consumption. Through this research, we aim to establish optimal nutrient loads for sustainable agriculture and propose recommendations for water usage during irrigation, prioritizing water conservation, pollution prevention, and erosion control.