Which of the following practices can help reduce the nutrients entering water ecosystems?

The practice of managing agricultural runoff is vital for reducing the nutrients that enter aquatic ecosystems. When agricultural runoff is not properly managed, it can carry fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals from fields into nearby water bodies. This influx of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to eutrophication, which causes algal blooms that harm water quality and aquatic life.

Effective management strategies can include creating buffer zones with vegetation, implementing contour plowing, and using retention basins to capture runoff before it reaches water bodies. These methods help filter out excess nutrients and slow down water flow, minimizing the impact on waterways. By controlling how nutrients are released from agricultural lands, we can significantly improve water quality and protect aquatic ecosystems from the detrimental effects of nutrient pollution.

In contrast, while soil erosion control can help prevent sedimentation in water ecosystems, it does not directly address the nutrient content carried by runoff. The use of synthetic fertilizers tends to exacerbate nutrient loading in water bodies if not applied judiciously. Monitoring water temperature, while important for understanding aquatic ecosystem health, does not directly help in managing nutrient loads.