Trends in fertiliser use and efficiency in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area

Overview

A basin-scale compilation of synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus application from 1910 to 2024 shows considerable reductions for most river basins of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment area over the past one to two decades. This foundational dataset will help evaluate water quality trends and their drivers, and assess nutrient management, agricultural sustainability and regional planning. The study also highlights that the sugarcane industry has improved nutrient use efficiency while maintaining crop yields.