Gross nutrient balance
methods, notes and classification
DATA_DESCR Gross Nutrient balances consist of the Gross Nitrogen Balance and the Gross Phosphorus Balance. The Gross Nutrient Balance represents the total potential threat of nitrogen and phosphorus surplus or deficits of agricultural soils to the environment. Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) are key elements for plants to grow. A persistent deficit of these nutrients can lead in the long term to soil degradation and erosion. áWhen N and P are however persistently applied in excess, they can cause surface and groundwater (including drinking water) pollution and eutrophication. The Gross Nitrogen Balance also includes Nitrogenous Emissions from livestock production and the application of manure and fertilizers. These nitrogenous emissions include:- Ammonia (NH3) contributing to acidification, eutrophication and atmospheric particulate pollution), and- Nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. The gross nutrient balance is calculated as the balance between inputs and outputs of nutrients to the agricultural soil. A balance per hectare is also presented. The Inputs are: -áááááááá Consumption of Fertilizers, -áááááááá Gross Input of Manure, and -áááááááá Other Inputs. The Outputs are: -áááááááá Removal of nutrients with the harvest of Crops, -áááááááá Removal of nutrients through the harvest and grazing of Fodder, and -áááááááá Crop Residues removed of the field.áá The data presented in this table are calculated from basic data from multiple data sources multiplied with coefficients to derive the nutrient content. The basic data used include the consumption of inorganic and other organic fertilizers (excluding manure) (tonnes), livestock population (1000 heads), manure imports, withdrawals and stock changes (tonnes), crop and fodder production (tonnes), crop residues (tonnes), seed production (tonnes), area of leguminous crops (1000 ha), area of arable land, land under permanent crops and permanent grassland (1000 ha). Countries may have used different types of datasources for these data. For instance some countries use estimates of áthe livestock population based on data from the Livestock Surveys or they have used other datas ources like national registers on livestock. Data sources that are used available in Eurostat include: áCrop Production Statistics (production and landuse), Livestock Statistics (livestock numbers), FSS (livestock numbers). Countries have estimated coefficients based on measurements, scientific research, expert judgment, default values etc.
CLASS_SYSTEM N/A
STAT_CONC_DEF Reference AreaThe area (agricultural soils) to which the balance refers is the total of arable land (L0001), land under permanent crops (L0003) and permanent grassland (L0002) as defined in the Crop Production Statistics (landuse). Extensive areas should be excluded. Consumption of FertilizersTotal consumption of Fertilizers is the SUM of the consumption of Inorganic Fertilizers and Other Organic Fertilizers (excluding Manure). Inorganic Fertilizers are manufactured fertilizers. Organic Fertilizers include Sewage Sludge, Urban Compost, Industrial Waste Products and Other products which are used as fertilizers on agricultural soils. Manure InputManure Input is the SUM of Manure Production by livestock MINUS Manure Withdrawals PLUS Change in stocksá PLUS Manure Imports.Manure Withdrawals are withdrawals of manure from agriculture, for instance exports of manure to other regions, non-agricultural use, processing of manure by industry etc.Change in Manure Stocks is defined as Stocks at beginning of the year MINUS Stocks at the end of the year. Other InputsThese include:- Biological Fixation of Nitrogen by Leguminous Crops and Free Living Organisms (which is only applicable to the Gross Nitrogen Balance). Leguminous plants are for instance Pulses, Clover, Lucerne, and Soybean. The leguminous fixation of clover or other leguminous mixtures in permanent and temporary grassland is not taken into account. The Nitrogen Fixation by Free Living Organisms is based on the total of arable land, land under permanent crops and permanent grassland.- Atmospheric Deposition on agricultural soils. The deposition of Phosphorus by all sources on arable land, land under permanent crops and permanent grassland. The total deposition of Nitrogen from all sources on arable land, land under permanent crops and permanent grassland MINUS the Nitrogen deposited on arable land, land under permanent crops and permanent grassland from Ammonia emissions by agriculture in the region. -Seeds and Planting material planted in the soil. Removal of nutrients with the harvest of Crops:Crops include Cereals, Dried Pulses, Root crops, Industrial Crops, Vegetables, Fruit, Ornamental plants and Other harvested crops. Removal of nutrients through harvest and grazing of Fodder:Fodder include Green Fodder (for instance Silage Maize) and Grasslands (hay, grass silage, fresh grass harvested and fed to animals, grass grazed by ruminants). Removal of nutrients from crop residues removed of the field.Crop residues include straw, head leaves and stems and other crop residuals which are removed from the field.
STAT_UNIT Countries report the balances following the OECD/Eurostat Handbook on Gross Nitrogen Balance and Gross Phosphorus balance at NUTS0 level. Some countries also provide data at lower regional level.
STAT_POP The data are collected in countries through various data sources and delivered to Eurostat at aggregated level (NUTS0). In some cases data have also been provided at a lower regional level.
REF_AREA EU27 Member States, Norway and Switzerland, and their regions down to NUTS3 level where appropriate.
BASE_PER N/A
UNIT_MEASURE Variables are measured in tonnes of nutrients. Except for the balance per ha, the inputs per ha and the outputs per ha which are expressed in kg of nutrient per hectare.
Methods 
Explanatory Notes 
Variables