Quantification Tools within this framework are methodologies for quantifying diffuse losses of nutrients (N and P) from land sources to surface waters. They range from simple empirical and statistical models to more advanced scientific process based models. Different Quantification Tools have been developed in different countries and they vary profoundly in (i) their level of complexity, (ii) their representation of system processes and pathways, and (iii) resource (data and time) requirements.

The Quantification Tools should aim to be accurate and responsive to changes in land use and land management. Furthermore, they should be influenced by geophysical factors (topography, hydrology), biochemical factors (soils) and climatic factors (rainfall, temperature), as well as providing end users (policy makers, implementers and evaluators) with information at appropriate time-scales to assess compliance with remediation measures.

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