Determining Parameter Precision for Modeling Nitrate Leaching: Inorganic Fertilization in Nordic Climates

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Abstract
Most NO−3 leaching models require the quantification of many parameters. Because the majority of these parameters are difficult to estimate, it is important to know the impact of parameter imprecision to make proper use of a model. A study was performed to identify the relative influence of the parameters in a deterministic NO−3 leaching model (SOILN) used with inorganic fertilization in nordic climates. A sensitivity analysis of the model was performed using parameters related to the N cycle with two reference systems for the parameters corresponding to field sites located in Quebec and in southern Sweden. Results from both sites showed that atmospheric deposits had little influence on NO−3 leaching in agricultural areas in Quebec and Sweden; the variation of parameters related to nitrification also had little impact on NO−3 leaching at the sites studied; parameters used for mineralization, plant uptake, and denitrification had a significant impact on NO−3 leaching in the simulated conditions; parameters related to abiotic factors had a variable influence, depending mostly on soil water contents.

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