Driving force is according to the EU definition (EC, 2003 Analysis of Pressures and Impacts) "An anthropogenic activity that may have an environmental effect".

In the framework of the EUROHARP project, focus is on quantification of diffuse losses of nitrogen and phosphorus, where agriculture is the main Driving force. A number of Quantification Tools (QTs)/models have been tested and assessed in catchments throughout Europe in order to be able to quantify the losses of nutrients from all sources. The first step of all the EUROHARP catchment studies was to identify and map the different land-uses of the catchments, in order to determine the influence of agricultural sources in particular.

To learn more about the how different EUROHARP QTs are able to estimate nutrient losses you can study the list of Quantification Tools; you can also conduct a search among the Tools, reflecting your own priorities. Furthermore, you can view the different catchment areas modelled in the EUROHARP project. You can also search to find a catchment that might be similar to your catchment and obtain information about how the QTS performed under the given conditions.


External Link
 EC Guidance documents