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From Watersheds to Washington: How Science Can Shape Smarter Phosphorus Policy
What can watershed science teach us about designing more effective phosphorus policy?
In this episode of the PhosForUs Policy Series, host Barira Rashid sits down with her PhD advisor, Dr. Rebecca Muenich, whose research connects watershed modeling, nutrient management, water quality, animal agriculture, and phosphorus sustainability.
They discuss what policymakers may overlook when phosphorus is managed one farm, permit, or practice at a time; how legacy phosphorus complicates expectations for water-quality improvement; and why better monitoring is essential for informed decision-making.
The conversation also explores Barira’s research using remote sensing and artificial intelligence to identify and monitor animal feeding operations. What began as a geospatial research problem has developed into broader questions about manure phosphorus, environmental data gaps, watershed impacts, agricultural sustainability, and policy.
Together, Barira and Becca consider how improved AFO information could support phosphorus management, whether policy has kept pace with phosphorus recovery and circularity, and what researchers can contribute to decisions beyond academia.
FEATURED RESEARCH AND FURTHER READING
Gaps in U.S. Livestock Data Are a Barrier to Effective Environmental and Disease Management
Rebecca Muenich, Barira Rashid, and colleagues
https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/adb050
Machine Learning-Based Identification of Animal Feeding Operations in the United States on a Parcel Scale
Arghajeet Saha, Barira Rashid, and colleagues
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178312
The Spatial Organization of CAFOs and Its Relationship to Water Quality in the United States
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.128301
Effective Nutrient Management of Surface Waters in the United States Requires Expanded Water-Quality Monitoring in Agriculturally Intensive Areas
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenvironau.4c00060
Unlocking the Phosphorus Circularity Potential of Corn Belt Watersheds with Biorefinery Phosphorus-Recovery Incentives
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.124010
Closing the Phosphorus Loop: A Spatial Analysis of the Potential for Wastewater-Derived Fertilizers to Meet U.S. Agricultural Demand
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180851
Topics discussed: phosphorus policy, phosphorus management, nutrient management, watershed modeling, water quality, animal feeding operations, manure phosphorus, agricultural sustainability, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, phosphorus circularity, nutrient recovery
View all episodes
By Science and Technologies for Phosphorus SustainabilityWhat can watershed science teach us about designing more effective phosphorus policy?
In this episode of the PhosForUs Policy Series, host Barira Rashid sits down with her PhD advisor, Dr. Rebecca Muenich, whose research connects watershed modeling, nutrient management, water quality, animal agriculture, and phosphorus sustainability.
They discuss what policymakers may overlook when phosphorus is managed one farm, permit, or practice at a time; how legacy phosphorus complicates expectations for water-quality improvement; and why better monitoring is essential for informed decision-making.
The conversation also explores Barira’s research using remote sensing and artificial intelligence to identify and monitor animal feeding operations. What began as a geospatial research problem has developed into broader questions about manure phosphorus, environmental data gaps, watershed impacts, agricultural sustainability, and policy.
Together, Barira and Becca consider how improved AFO information could support phosphorus management, whether policy has kept pace with phosphorus recovery and circularity, and what researchers can contribute to decisions beyond academia.
FEATURED RESEARCH AND FURTHER READING
Gaps in U.S. Livestock Data Are a Barrier to Effective Environmental and Disease Management
Rebecca Muenich, Barira Rashid, and colleagues
https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/adb050
Machine Learning-Based Identification of Animal Feeding Operations in the United States on a Parcel Scale
Arghajeet Saha, Barira Rashid, and colleagues
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178312
The Spatial Organization of CAFOs and Its Relationship to Water Quality in the United States
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.128301
Effective Nutrient Management of Surface Waters in the United States Requires Expanded Water-Quality Monitoring in Agriculturally Intensive Areas
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenvironau.4c00060
Unlocking the Phosphorus Circularity Potential of Corn Belt Watersheds with Biorefinery Phosphorus-Recovery Incentives
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.124010
Closing the Phosphorus Loop: A Spatial Analysis of the Potential for Wastewater-Derived Fertilizers to Meet U.S. Agricultural Demand
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180851
Topics discussed: phosphorus policy, phosphorus management, nutrient management, watershed modeling, water quality, animal feeding operations, manure phosphorus, agricultural sustainability, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, phosphorus circularity, nutrient recovery