The Two-dimensional Phosphorus Export Risk Matrix for Arable Farming

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2D Phosphorus Export Risk Matrix (PERM)
The Phosphorus Export Risk Matrix (PERM) is a Decision Support Matrix (DSM) designed to allow farmers and land use planners to assess the risk of phosphorus loss from their land and to explore options to reduce phosphorus loss whilst maintaining farm income. The goal is to allow farmers to compare their current land use practice within the wider context of alternative land management options. The primary conceptual model for the two dimensional PERM is shown in the diagram on the right. Soil type is assumed to be uniform within a field, resulting in a Nutrient Export Risk Matrix (NERM) with risk axes associated with 1) Flow Connectivity 2) Fertiliser application and soil management.
The example shown below is one of a set of conceptual models designed to help the end user visualise good and bad practice relative to the risk of phosphorus export.

medium risk medium risk medium-high risk high risk high risk high risk high risk very high risk very high risk very high risk
medium risk medium risk medium risk medium-high risk high risk high risk high risk high risk Example 1: very high risk very high risk
medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium-high risk high risk high risk Example 3: High risk - Groundwater dominated system high risk very high risk
medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium-high risk high risk high risk high risk high risk
medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium-high risk high risk high risk high risk
low-medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium-high risk high risk high risk
low-medium risk low-medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium-high risk high risk
Example 4: Low risk - Groundwater dominated system low risk low-medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium-high risk
very low risk Example 2: low risk low risk low-medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk
very low risk very low risk low risk low-medium risk low-medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk medium risk

2D PERM   Right click here for
  PERM

2D PERM   Return to DSM page

Example 2 - Low flow-connectivity, low risk due to fertiliser application

Example 2: low risk
High flow-connectivity, high risk due to fertiliser application

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