Evaluating/Updating the Ohio Phosphorus Risk Index Using Field-Scale, Edge-of-Field Monitoring Data

The objective of this project is to increase the utility and implementation of the Ohio P Index beyond a tool used to assess risk of P transport, into a tool, producers can also use to make management decisions to reduce their risk of P transport.

Specific objectives of this project are: 1) Evaluate and as necessary revise and update the current Ohio P Risk Index, using field-scale, edge-of-field monitoring data. 2) Quantitatively, integrate additional best management practice (BMPs) options into the Ohio P Index 3) Develop a web-based, easy to use, interactive GIS tool (web-based tool) that allows producers to easily calculate their Ohio P Index scores, and to choose from a suite of additional BMP options to aid with management decisions to reduce their risk of P transport (Ohio P Index scores). This web-based tool will also be used for education purposes and to actively promote increased implementation of the revised/enhanced Ohio P Index. 4) Significant statistical analyses will be required to evaluate/revise the Ohio P Index, integrate additional BMP options and to develop the on-line web-based interface. Statistical analyses will be conducted in the following three phases: a. Evaluate the current Ohio P Index parameters and modifiers. Determine which independent variables (parameters), or combinations of independent variables, best quantify risk of P transport. b. Quantitatively integrate additional BMP options into the Ohio P Index. This will allow producers to choose BMPs to reduce their risk of P transport (P Index score). c. Adapt the developed models to work within the web-based tool (on-line interface)