Dataset of Nutrient Navigator - Interactive Tool for Agriculture-Induced Nutrient Loading to Water Systems

The Nutrient Navigator is an online tool that combines scientific data with an interactive global map to visualise how much nitrogen and phosphorus applied on agricultural fields typically end up in freshwater systems. Developed by the Water Footprint Network, University of Twente, and The Science Based Targets Network, the intended audience are organisations seeking to understand where nutrient pollution occurs, set science-based water quality targets, and reduce their water footprint. The estimates displayed in the Nutrient Navigator are based on global modelling studies by Mekonnen and Hoekstra (2015 [https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b03191], 2018 [https://doi.org/10.1002/2017WR020448]), who quantified diffuse agricultural N and P loads for 126 crops at high spatial resolution (5 x 5 arc minutes) using soil balance and surplus approaches. While these datasets represent state-of-the-art scientific modelling, they contain uncertainties stemming from assumptions, variable input data, and spatial variability. To reduce these uncertainties, the Nutrient Navigator aggregates the original data to sub-catchments and crop groups. Users are encouraged to consult the source studies to better understand specific limitations. The tool also provides crop group definitions corresponding to FAOSTAT crop codes via the accompanying dataset.