I studied nutrient reserves, digestive organs, molt intensity, diets , and seasonal changes in food resources available to postbreeding adult male Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) and Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) in marshes near Great Salt Lake, Utah. Total lipid and protein reserves of Northern Pintails were lower during the flightless period than before or after. For Cinnamon Teal, total protein was lowest during the flightless period, and total lipid showed a similar trend. Total mineral did not differ among plumage classes in either species. Use of nutrient reserves in these species may be an endogenous rhythm in response to increased predation risk or unpredictable food resources while flightless. Digestive organ metrics of Northern Pintails generally were lower while flightless than before or after, apparently due to decreased dietary consumption. Cinnamon Teal digestive organ metrics changed little from preflightless to flightless stages, but generally increased while postflightless. Changes in Cinnamon Teal digestive organs may be related to increased dietary intake or increased dietary fiber consumption. Total molt intensity in these species was generally high before and during wing molt, and decreased during the postflightless period. Mathematically weighting total molt scores produced results similar to those obtained without weighting, but selection of body/feather regions is critical to obtaining unbiased estimates. Changes in relative availability of plant and animal foods during July and August were marked . Animal foods made up 96% of total foods measured in the study area during early July, but plant foods comprised 95% of available foods by late August. Changes in abundances of food resources are probably an important determinant of diet selection in postbreeding adult ducks and ducklings in marshes near Great Salt Lake. Diets of postbreeding adult male Northern Pintails and Cinnamon Teal did not differ between species, but did among flight classes. Changes in use of food items and in use of animal and plant foods were consistent with changes in relative abundances of food resources. Postbreeding adult males of these species apparently foraged opportunistically.

Karenia brevis is a toxic marine dinoflagellate species that blooms almost every year in the Gulf of Mexico. These blooms have had devastating effects on local economies, as well as on the fauna of the area. The ECOHAB:Florida project was founded to study the population dynamics and trophic impacts of K. brevis. The project included a series of monthly hydrographic offshore research cruises, as well as monthly surveys of a transect along the 10-meter isobath of the West Florida Shelf. This study focused on data from the alongshore transect over a three-year period (1999-2001). Physical parameters (temperature, salinity, and density) and chemical parameters (particulate carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus; dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus) of the West Florida Shelf were analyzed. The amount of chlorophll a and the location and amount of K. brevis cells present were also examined. Clear spatial, seasonal, and interannual patterns in the hydrographic parameters, particulate matter (C, N, P), dissolved inorganic nutrient (nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate), and chlorophyll a concentrations were found. At various times throughout the study, the location of K. brevis blooms was influenced by all of these factors except for the amount of dissolved inorganic nutrients. There were differences in particulate matter ratios present in bloom and non-bloom periods. No clear-cut differences in dissolved inorganic nutrients between bloom and non-bloom periods were found. Finally, relationships between the biological indicators of blooms (i.e., chlorophyll a) and the aforementioned physical and chemical parameters were found.

Glenbrook Lagoon, an 8 hectare lake receiving rainfall runoff from a residential catchment, is experiencing nutrient enrichment problems expressed as excessive aquatic plant presence. This study aims to assess the relative nutrient contribution of the total system compartments, including catchment loading, water column, aquatic plants and surface sediment. This information is utilised in the formulation of management strategies which may produce a sustainable nutrient reduction and general improvement in the system. The total nutrient content of the aquatic system was determined to be high in comparison with the present nutrient loading from the catchment. The ideal management case considers nutrient reduction of the surface sediment compartment firstly, followed by the aquatic plant community, with the water column and catchment influence as relatively low priority compartments. Various strategies for managing these are proposed. The total system benefits of the ideal management case are reductions in nutrients, aquatic plant biovolume and suspended solid loading. Unavoidable constraints placed upon the ideal management case include the excessive aquatic plant presence restricting accessability to the surface sediment for dredging. The resulting best management case requires aquatic plant eradication prior to sediment management, with the total system benefits associated with the ideal management case being retained. / Master of Science (Hons)

There is limited knowledge and understanding of the role of nutrients and effect of herbivore grazing on epilithon production in Australian upland rivers. Before investigating these processes, a method was required that will allow the study of factors (physical, chemical and biological) that affect epilithon abundance and distribution in lotic systems. The Thredbo River, Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales, provided an opportunity to conduct this investigation because it: is relatively undisturbed; has been intensely studied; is easily accessed; and is of appropriate width and depth to conduct in-stream experiments. The specific goals of this research were the: (1) validation of the nutrient-diffusing substrate method for investigating epilithon responses to nutrients; (2) development of experimental channels in which to investigate nutrient/epilithon dynamics in an upland stream; (3) development of a method to inhibit macroinvertebrate grazing from in situ experimental channels, so that epilithon responses to nutrients with and without grazing pressure can be studied; and (4) assessment of the ecological implications of nutrient/ epilithon/macroinvertebrate interactions assessed from in-stream experiments. Major achievements of my research, that advance the study of stream ecology, are as follows: · The investigation of the features of nutrient release from terracotta nutrientdiffusing substrates showed that phosphorus does not readily diffuse through terracotta clay, probably because terracotta contains known binding agents for phosphorus, such as iron, and because pores are easily blocked. I concluded that this type of substrate is inappropriate for studying nutrient dynamics and epilithon responses to the nutrient(s) limiting growth. The outcomes of this research has implications for future research using nutrient-diffusing substrates, and of how nutrient limitation information is interpreted from past research using terracotta nutrient-diffusing substrates. · I designed and tested in-stream experimental channels that were functional and provided near natural conditions for studying the interactions between nutrients/ epilithon/macroinvertebrates, without affecting physical variables not tested for. The in situ method developed was successful in simulating 'real world' complexities. Clay paving bricks were used as standardized common surface for community development because their colour, size and surface texture are similar to those of natural stones. · I developed a technique for successfully inhibiting macroinvertebrate grazing from designated areas, using electricity, without affecting flow and light. This technique will enable in-stream herbivory studies to assess the effects of macroinvertebrate grazing pressure on epilithon under natural conditions, including variability in flow, temperature, light and nutrients. It will allow the vexed question of whether epilithon biomass is controlled by bottom-up or top-down processes to be objectively addressed. The construction of in situ experimental channels that simulate natural conditions, combined with the non-intrusive methods of macroinvertebrate exclusion and nutrient addition, resulted in a study design that will facilitate the investigation of biotic responses to nutrients in Australian upland streams. Using the method developed, I showed that variable flows in the upper Thredbo River appear high enough to slough epilithon, but not high enough to dislodge macroinvertebrates. This may mean that in systems such as the Thredbo River that experience frequent low level disturbance, the epilithon is unable to reach equilibrium. There is strong top-down control of epilithon in this stream, with nutrients, temperature and light playing a secondary role. I concluded that natural variability may be more important than previously considered and perhaps this, rather than constancy, should be studied. This thesis adds support to the continuance of multiple factor investigations, and advocates that such studies be conducted under natural conditions so that the results are more relevant to natural systems than from studies conducted in controlled laboratory and outdoor artificial streams. Clearly, the in-stream channels, developed as part of the current research, will allow research that contributes to our understanding of community responses to the physical, chemical and biological processes operating in lotic environments.

<p>Eutrophication is an increasing problem in the Baltic Sea and is caused by an excess of nutrients in the water which are primarily transported with the runoff from cultivated land. The peninsula Vikbolandet in Östergötland is dominated by arable land and has stream outflows to the bays of Bråviken and Slätbaken. In this study five streams of Vikbolandet have been sampled during the spring flood period with the aim of connecting concentrations of nutrients in the streams with turbidity and runoff in the catchment. This analysis has then been related to the land use in the small catchment of Vadsbäcken in order to investigate the impact of land uses with areal losses of phosphorus. The results indicate that there are increasing concentrations of phosphorus downstream in the sites of Vadsbäcken and that the transported amounts of phosphorus increases with the spring flood and at a rainstorm event. It is shown that the distribution of agricultural blocks in the catchment of Vadsbäcken has a major impact on the nutrient leakage. There is a co-variation between turbidity and runoff during a rainstorm event and between particulate-bound phosphorus and runoff over time. A further aim has been to investigate possibilities for use of an easily managed, cost-effective environmental monitoring method for nutrient measurements in watercourses. Within four out of five streams at Vikbolandet there is a significant co-variation between turbidity and total phosphorus. Using field measurements of turbidity for environmental monitoring could provide a viable alternative for environmental monitoring of watercourses but will need further investigations of co-variation before being brought into use. Further, this study shows that the transport of phosphorus is underestimated in environmental monitoring</p>

<p>Picophytoplankton were inferior competitors for inorganic phosphorus compared to heterotrophic bacteria. This may be due to the source of energy available for the heterotrophs, while cell-size was of minor importance. However, picophytoplankton were superior to large phytoplankton in the competition for nutrients at low concentrations. </p><p>Biomass of picophytoplankton was low in brownwater lakes and high in clearwater lakes, compared to the biomass of heterotrophic bacteria. The results suggest that picophytoplankton are inferior to heterotrophic bacteria in the competition for inorganic nutrients in brownwater lakes, where the production of heterotrophic bacteria is subsidized by humic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) </p><p>Relative to large phytoplankton, picophytoplankton were most important in lakes with intermediate water colour, despite the fact that the lowest nutrient concentrations were found in the clearwater lakes. Large phytoplankton in the clearwater lakes may be able to overcome nutrient competition with picophytoplankton by vertical migration.</p><p>In conclusion, changes in nutrient content, light availability and concentrations of DOC affect the interactions of heterotrophic bacteria, picophytoplankton and large phytoplankton and are therefore important factors for the structure of the food web in the pelagic zones of lakes.</p><p>Picophytoplankton (planktonic algae and cyanobacteria, < 2 µm) constitute an important component of pelagic food webs. They are linked to larger phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria through complex interactions including competition, commensalism and predation. In this thesis, field and laboratory studies on the competitive ability of picophytoplankton are reported.</p>

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of water and nutrient pools is closely associated with the existence of different plant communities in hydrologically-controlled ecosystems such as the Everglades. These various communities differ in their flooding and fire tolerances as well as nutrient requirements. Upland plant communities are of particular ecological significance since they have high biodiversity and provide habitat to terrestrial fauna, yet comprise less than 10 % of the total area. Restoration and maintenance of such communities requires an understanding of their water and nutrient requirements. Chapter 2 compares water source utilization in hammocks and pine rocklands on the Miami Rock Ridge using stable isotopes of water. Hammocks do not flood, while adjacent pinelands may flood between 2-3 months. In the wet season, hammocks were found to use phosphorus (P) rich soilwater, a local pool of water and nutrients while pineland plants primarily relied upon groundwater, the regional pool. Access to a rich pool of P in the oligotrophic Everglades was associated with higher community-level foliar P concentration in hammocks. However in the dry season, hammocks utilized groundwater, which suggests sensitivity to extended droughts. Chapter 3 compares the hammock (upland or head) and swamp forests (lowland or tail) on tree islands in the Shark River Slough. Uplands were associated with P-rich soilwater uptake in the wet season, with regional water uptake in the dry season. Accordingly, tree island heads are rich in foliar P and thereby P-hotspots in the Everglades. Foliar nutrient concentrations can thus indicate limiting nutrient availability in the Everglades. Chapter 4 looks at how leaf phenology patterns are tied to water and nutrient pools. Leaf fall in ridge hammocks is associated with high foliar carbon isotope values over the dry season, which is not the case for tree island hammocks. However, in some species, high levels of foliar nitrogen are also associated with high foliar C13 values indicating stomatal limitation of photosynthesis. Growing season for most hammock species is the wet season coinciding with high availability of P, as reflected in high foliar P in this season. Linking water sources to foliar nutrients elucidates roles of water and nutrient pools in leading to different plant communities within an ecosystem.

Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Stickstoff- und Phosphorprozesse im nordostdeutschen Tiefland detailliert zu untersuchen und Handlungsoptionen hinsichtlich der Landnutzung zur nachhaltigen Steuerung der Stickstoff- und Phosphoreinträge in die Fließgewässer aufzuzeigen. Als Grundvoraussetzung für die Modellierung des Nährstoffhaushaltes mussten zunächst die hydrologischen Prozesse und die Abflüsse für die Einzugsgebiete validiert werden. Dafür wurde in dieser Arbeit das ökohydrologische Modell SWIM verwendet. Die Abflussmodellierung umfasste den Zeitraum 1991 - 2000. Die Ergebnisse dazu zeigen, dass SWIM in der Lage war, die hydrologischen Prozesse in den Untersuchungsgebieten adäquat wiederzugeben. Auf der Grundlage der Modellierung des Wasserhaushaltes wurden mit SWIM die Stoffumsatzprozesse für den Zeitraum 1996 - 2000 simuliert. Um dabei besonders das Prozessgeschehen im Tiefland zu berücksichtigen, war die Erweiterung von SWIM um einen Ammonium-Pool mit dessen Umsatzprozessen erforderlich. Außerdem wurde der Prozess der Nährstoffversickerung so ergänzt, dass neben Nitrat auch Ammonium und Phosphat durch das gesamte Bodenprofil verlagert und über die Abflusskomponenten zum Gebietsauslass transportiert werden können. Mit diesen Modellerweiterungen konnten die Stickstoff und Phosphorprozesse in den Untersuchungsgebieten gut abgebildet werden. Mit dem so validierten Modell wurden weitere Anwendungen ermöglicht. Nährstoffsimulationen für den Zeitraum 1981 bis 2000 dienten der Untersuchung des abnehmenden Trends in den Nährstoffkonzentrationen der Nuthe. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse lassen deutlich erkennen, dass sich die Konzentrationen nach 1990 hauptsächlich auf Grund der Reduzierung der Einträge aus punktförmigen Quellen und Rieselfeldern verringert haben. Weitere Modellrechnungen zur Herkunft der Nährstoffe haben ergeben, dass Nitrat überwiegend aus diffusen Quellen, Ammonium und Phosphat dagegen aus punktförmigen Quellen stammen. Als besonders sensitiv auf die Modellergebnisse haben sich die Parameter zu Landnutzung und -management und die Durchwurzelungstiefe der Pflanzen herausgestellt. Abschließend wurden verschiedene Landnutzungsszenarien angewendet. Die Ergebnisse zu den Szenariorechnungen zeigen, dass fast alle vorgegebenen Landnutzungsszenarien zu einer Verringerung der Stickstoff- bzw. Phosphoremissionen führten. Die Anwendung von Szenarien, die alle relevanten Zielvorgaben und Empfehlungen zum Ressourcenschutz berücksichtigen, zeigen die größten Veränderungen. / The main objective of this study was to investigate the nitrogen and phosphorus processes in the north-eastern German lowlands and to suggest sustainable management options concerning land use that could lead to a reduction in nitrogen and phosphorous emissions into the river network. In order to fulfil the basic requirements of water quality modelling on river basin scale, the hydrological processes had to be validated first. For this purpose the ecohydrological model SWIM was used. The simulations were carried out on a daily time step within the period 1991 - 2000. The results have shown that SWIM was able to reproduce adequately the hydrological processes within all investigation areas. Based on these hydrological simulations the nutrient processes were modelled with SWIM for the time period 1996 - 2000. It became obvious that the modelling approaches within SWIM, especially concerning the nutrient cycling processes in lowland watersheds, had to be modified. Thus, an ammonium pool including its transformations processes was added. In addition, leaching not only of nitrate but also of ammonium and phosphate throughout the whole soil profile is now possible. Thus all nutrients can be transported to the outlet of the watersheds by the flow components. It could be shown that with these modifications the model was able to reproduce well the nitrogen and phosphorus processes in the research areas. With the validated model further applications were enabled. In order to investigate the reason for the decreasing trend in the nutrient concentrations in the Nuthe River, nutrient simulations were performed for the period 1981 - 2000. The results show that the concentrations after 1990 have decreased mainly because of the reduction of emissions from point sources and sewage fields. Further simulations in order to gain more information about the different nutrient sources showed that nitrate basically originates from diffuse sources and ammonium as well as phosphorus from point sources. Especially parameters related to land use and management as well as the root depth of plants turned out to be very sensitive to model results. Concluding, different land use change scenarios were adapted. The calculation results demonstrate that almost all provided scenarios lead to a reduction in the emission rates. Applying those scenarios which consider all relevant aims and recommendations concerning the protection of resources the highest changing rates could be achieved.

This work documents the development and application of a new model for simulating mass transport and turnover in rivers and shallow lakes. The simulation tool called 'TRAM' is intended to complement mesoscale eco-hydrological catchment models in studies on river basin management. TRAM aims at describing the water quality of individual water bodies, using problem- and scale-adequate approaches for representing their hydrological and ecological characteristics. The need for such flexible water quality analysis and prediction tools is expected to further increase during the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) as well as in the context of climate change research. The developed simulation tool consists of a transport and a reaction module with the latter being highly flexible with respect to the description of turnover processes in the aquatic environment. Therefore, simulation approaches of different complexity can easily be tested and model formulations can be chosen in consideration of the problem at hand, knowledge of process functioning, and data availability. Consequently, TRAM is suitable for both heavily simplified engineering applications as well as scientific ecosystem studies involving a large number of state variables, interactions, and boundary conditions. TRAM can easily be linked to catchment models off-line and it requires the use of external hydrodynamic simulation software. Parametrization of the model and visualization of simulation results are facilitated by the use of geographical information systems as well as specific pre- and post-processors. TRAM has been developed within the research project 'Management Options for the Havel River Basin' funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research. The project focused on the analysis of different options for reducing the nutrient load of surface waters. It was intended to support the implementation of the WFD in the lowland catchment of the Havel River located in North-East Germany. Within the above-mentioned study TRAM was applied with two goals in mind. In a first step, the model was used for identifying the magnitude as well as spatial and temporal patterns of nitrogen retention and sediment phosphorus release in a 100~km stretch of the highly eutrophic Lower Havel River. From the system analysis, strongly simplified conceptual approaches for modeling N-retention and P-remobilization in the studied river-lake system were obtained. In a second step, the impact of reduced external nutrient loading on the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of the Havel River was simulated (scenario analysis) taking into account internal retention/release. The boundary conditions for the scenario analysis such as runoff and nutrient emissions from river basins were computed by project partners using the catchment models SWIM and ArcEGMO-Urban. Based on the output of TRAM, the considered options of emission control could finally be evaluated using a site-specific assessment scale which is compatible with the requirements of the WFD. Uncertainties in the model predictions were also examined. According to simulation results, the target of the WFD -- with respect to total phosphorus concentrations in the Lower Havel River -- could be achieved in the medium-term, if the full potential for reducing point and non-point emissions was tapped. Furthermore, model results suggest that internal phosphorus loading will ease off noticeably until 2015 due to a declining pool of sedimentary mobile phosphate. Mass balance calculations revealed that the lakes of the Lower Havel River are an important nitrogen sink. This natural retention effect contributes significantly to the efforts aimed at reducing the river's nitrogen load. If a sustainable improvement of the river system's water quality is to be achieved, enhanced measures to further reduce the immissions of both phosphorus and nitrogen are required. / Die vorliegende Arbeit dokumentiert Konzept und Anwendung eines Modells zur Simulation von Stofftransport und -umsatz in Flüssen und Flachseen. Das Simulationswerkzeug TRAM wurde als Ergänzung zu mesoskaligen Wasser- und Stoffhaushaltsmodellen konzipiert, um die Beschaffenheit einzelner Wasserkörper auf dieser räumlichen Skala in adequater Weise abbilden zu können. Dieser Aufgabenstellung kommt im Zuge der Umsetzung der EU-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie (WRRL) besondere Bedeutung zu. Das entwickelte Simulationsmodell TRAM setzt sich aus einem Transport- und einem Reaktionsmodell zusammen. Letzteres zeichnet sich durch eine hohe Flexibilität hinsichtlich der Beschreibung gewässerinterner Stoffumsatzprozesse aus. Es können mit geringem Aufwand unterschiedlich komplexe Ansätze der Prozessbeschreibung getestet und die - je nach Problemstellung, Systemverständnis und Datenverfügbarkeit - angemessene Modellformulierung gewählt werden. TRAM eignet sich somit gleichermaßen für stark vereinfachende Ingenieur-Anwendungen wie für wissenschaftliche Analysen, die komplexe aquatische Ökosystemmodelle mit einer Vielzahl an Zustandsvariablen, Interaktionen und Randbedingungen erfordern. Weitere Charakteristika von TRAM sind die Koppelbarkeit mit öko-hydrologischen Einzugsgebietsmodellen sowie einem hydrodynamischen Modell, die Unterstützung von Modellparametrisierung und Visualisierungen durch Geografische Informationssysteme (GIS) und ein klar strukturiertes Daten-Management. TRAM wurde im Rahmen des BMBF-geförderten Forschungsprojekts 'Bewirtschaftungsmöglichkeiten im Einzugsgebiet der Havel' entwickelt. Gegenstand dieses Projektes war die Analyse von Handlungsoptionen zur Verminderung von Nährstoffeinträgen in die Oberflächengewässer des Havel-Einzugsgebiets als Beitrag zur Erreichung der Ziele der WRRL. Mit dem Einsatz von TRAM wurden zwei Zielstellungen verfolgt: In einem ersten Schritt wurden Bedeutung und Muster der gewässerinternen Stickstoff-Retention sowie der Phosphor-Freisetzung aus See-Sedimenten quantifiziert (Systemanalyse). Auf dieser Basis konnten vereinfachte, konzeptionelle Ansätze zur Beschreibung von N-Retention und P-Remobilisierung abgeleitet werden. In einem zweiten Schritt wurden, unter Nutzung dieser Ansätze, die Auswirkungen verringerter externer Nährstoffeinträge auf gewässerinterne N- und P-Konzentrationen simuliert (Szenario-Analysen) und die Unsicherheiten der Modellrechnungen untersucht. Als Randbedingungen für die Szenario-Analysen dienten Simulationsergebnisse der öko-hydrologischen Einzugsgebietsmodelle SWIM und ArcEGMO, welche durch Projektpartner zur Verfügung gestellt wurden. Die mittels TRAM berechneten Nährstoffkonzentrationen bildeten schließlich die Grundlage für eine Evaluierung der Handlungsoptionen anhand einer gewässertypspezifischen, WRRL-konformen Bewertungsskala. Die Simulationsergebnisse zeigen, dass die Zielvorgabe der WRRL bezüglich Gesamt-Phosphor im Falle der Unteren Havel mittelfristig erreicht werden kann, wenn das Potential zur Senkung der Einträge aus punktförmigen und diffusen Quellen voll ausgeschöpft wird. Weiterhin kann im Zeitraum bis 2015 bereits mit einem merklichen Nachlassen der internen Phosphat-Freisetzung aufgrund einer Aushagerung der Sedimente gerechnet werden. Mit Hilfe von Massenbilanzierungen ließ sich zeigen, dass die Havelseen eine bedeutende Stickstoff-Senke darstellen. Dieser natürliche Retentionseffekt unterstützt wesentlich die Bemühungen zur Verminderung der Stickstoff-Belastung. Im Sinne einer nachhaltigen Verbesserung der Wassergüte der Unteren Havel erscheinen verstärkte Anstrengungen zur weiteren Reduzierung sowohl der Phosphor- als auch der Stickstoff-Emissionen geboten.

Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Stickstoff- und Phosphorprozesse im nordostdeutschen Tiefland detailliert zu untersuchen und Handlungsoptionen hinsichtlich der Landnutzung zur nachhaltigen Steuerung der Stickstoff- und Phosphoreinträge in die Fließgewässer aufzuzeigen. Als Grundvoraussetzung für die Modellierung des Nährstoffhaushaltes mussten zunächst die hydrologischen Prozesse und die Abflüsse für die Einzugsgebiete validiert werden. Dafür wurde in dieser Arbeit das ökohydrologische Modell SWIM verwendet. Die Abflussmodellierung umfasste den Zeitraum 1991 - 2000. Die Ergebnisse dazu zeigen, dass SWIM in der Lage war, die hydrologischen Prozesse in den Untersuchungsgebieten adäquat wiederzugeben. Auf der Grundlage der Modellierung des Wasserhaushaltes wurden mit SWIM die Stoffumsatzprozesse für den Zeitraum 1996 - 2000 simuliert. Um dabei besonders das Prozessgeschehen im Tiefland zu berücksichtigen, war die Erweiterung von SWIM um einen Ammonium-Pool mit dessen Umsatzprozessen erforderlich. Außerdem wurde der Prozess der Nährstoffversickerung so ergänzt, dass neben Nitrat auch Ammonium und Phosphat durch das gesamte Bodenprofil verlagert und über die Abflusskomponenten zum Gebietsauslass transportiert werden können. Mit diesen Modellerweiterungen konnten die Stickstoff und Phosphorprozesse in den Untersuchungsgebieten gut abgebildet werden. Mit dem so validierten Modell wurden weitere Anwendungen ermöglicht. Nährstoffsimulationen für den Zeitraum 1981 bis 2000 dienten der Untersuchung des abnehmenden Trends in den Nährstoffkonzentrationen der Nuthe. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse lassen deutlich erkennen, dass sich die Konzentrationen nach 1990 hauptsächlich auf Grund der Reduzierung der Einträge aus punktförmigen Quellen und Rieselfeldern verringert haben. Weitere Modellrechnungen zur Herkunft der Nährstoffe haben ergeben, dass Nitrat überwiegend aus diffusen Quellen, Ammonium und Phosphat dagegen aus punktförmigen Quellen stammen. Als besonders sensitiv auf die Modellergebnisse haben sich die Parameter zu Landnutzung und -management und die Durchwurzelungstiefe der Pflanzen herausgestellt. Abschließend wurden verschiedene Landnutzungsszenarien angewendet. Die Ergebnisse zu den Szenariorechnungen zeigen, dass fast alle vorgegebenen Landnutzungsszenarien zu einer Verringerung der Stickstoff- bzw. Phosphoremissionen führten. Die Anwendung von Szenarien, die alle relevanten Zielvorgaben und Empfehlungen zum Ressourcenschutz berücksichtigen, zeigen die größten Veränderungen. / The main objective of this study was to investigate the nitrogen and phosphorus processes in the north-eastern German lowlands and to suggest sustainable management options concerning land use that could lead to a reduction in nitrogen and phosphorous emissions into the river network. In order to fulfil the basic requirements of water quality modelling on river basin scale, the hydrological processes had to be validated first. For this purpose the ecohydrological model SWIM was used. The simulations were carried out on a daily time step within the period 1991 - 2000. The results have shown that SWIM was able to reproduce adequately the hydrological processes within all investigation areas. Based on these hydrological simulations the nutrient processes were modelled with SWIM for the time period 1996 - 2000. It became obvious that the modelling approaches within SWIM, especially concerning the nutrient cycling processes in lowland watersheds, had to be modified. Thus, an ammonium pool including its transformations processes was added. In addition, leaching not only of nitrate but also of ammonium and phosphate throughout the whole soil profile is now possible. Thus all nutrients can be transported to the outlet of the watersheds by the flow components. It could be shown that with these modifications the model was able to reproduce well the nitrogen and phosphorus processes in the research areas. With the validated model further applications were enabled. In order to investigate the reason for the decreasing trend in the nutrient concentrations in the Nuthe River, nutrient simulations were performed for the period 1981 - 2000. The results show that the concentrations after 1990 have decreased mainly because of the reduction of emissions from point sources and sewage fields. Further simulations in order to gain more information about the different nutrient sources showed that nitrate basically originates from diffuse sources and ammonium as well as phosphorus from point sources. Especially parameters related to land use and management as well as the root depth of plants turned out to be very sensitive to model results. Concluding, different land use change scenarios were adapted. The calculation results demonstrate that almost all provided scenarios lead to a reduction in the emission rates. Applying those scenarios which consider all relevant aims and recommendations concerning the protection of resources the highest changing rates could be achieved.