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The last few decades have witnessed phenomenal growth in the agricultural sector in Canada and in Quebec in particular. Factors such as the mechanization of farm operations have contributed greatly to this exponential growth. A direct and adverse consequence of this trend, however, has been its impact on our environment, placing it under unprecedented stress. Several lakes and rivers in Quebec now report consistently high pollutant levels and the agricultural sector often cops the blame for it. Whether this viewpoint is justified or not is a key question. This book successfully documents a scientific attempt to better understand the dynamics of nutrient transport from field to water course, through a combination of intensive field research and computer modeling. By quantifying nutrient and wastewater losses from agricultural lands, a critical knowledge gap has thus been filled. By dispelling some myths on nutrient dynamics and with a discerning eye on the future, this study should prove to be especially useful to stakeholders from environmental and agricultural communities alike: scientists, agronomists, academicians, policy makers and conscientious agricultural producers.

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Apurva Gollamudi, Eng., M.Sc. studied Bioresource Engineering at McGill University and Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. As a Professional Associate at the Brace Centre for Water Resources Management, Montreal, he has managed projects on watershed management, conservation, irrigation, hydrology and water quality.

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