In North Carolina, demand for fresh water has increased dramatically. One of the main reasons for this is increased water use for agriculture. Respond to the following in 3–5 sentences
Relate one effect of agricultural water use on North Carolina's river basins.
Relate one conservation strategy that would reduce the effect of agricultural practices on water quality.
One effect of agricultural water use on North Carolina's river basins is the contamination of water with excess nutrients and chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides. This can lead to algal blooms, decreased oxygen levels, and harm to aquatic life. One conservation strategy to reduce the impact of agricultural practices on water quality is implementing precision agriculture techniques, which involve using technology to precisely apply fertilizers and pesticides only where and when they are needed, reducing runoff and leaching.
