A review of the development and implementation of the critical source area concept: A reflection of Andrew Sharpley’s role in improving water quality

Critical source areas (CSAs) are small areas of a field, farm, or catchment that account for most contaminant loss by having both a high contaminant availability and transport potential.

Most work on CSAs has focused on phosphorus, largely through the work in the 1990s initiated by Dr Sharpley and colleagues who recognized the value in targeting mitigation efforts.

The CSA concept has been readily grasped by scientists, farmers, and policymakers across the globe. However, experiences and success have been mixed, often caused by the variation in where and how CSAs are defined.