More than half of Germany's surface area is used for agriculture. Agriculture thus is the largest land user in Germany and a significant contributor to environmental stress. On the other hand, agriculture is also affected, for example, by the effects of climate change. In the flyer "Environment and agriculture 2018" UBA presents key facts about agriculture and environment.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients for aquatic plants (algae, macrophytes). Their high concentration causes excessive growth especially of algae (Eutrophication). Rivers transport nitrogen and phosphorus into lakes and North sea and Baltic sea and influence its nutrient concentration.
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all living organisms. The use of mineral and organic nitrogen fertilizers to increase yields is therefore common practice in agriculture. Careful and needs-based application is crucial. Excess nitrogen can pollute water and land ecosystems and adversely affect the climate, air quality, and biodiversity.
