Which of the following is a recommended practice for fertilizing near bodies of water?

Implementing buffer zones is a recommended practice for fertilizing near bodies of water because buffer zones act as a protective barrier that helps to filter and reduce the runoff of fertilizers and other pollutants into water bodies. These zones typically consist of vegetation or other land management practices that absorb excess nutrients, prevent soil erosion, and maintain water quality. By creating a spatial separation between fertilized areas and water bodies, buffer zones significantly lessen the risk of nutrient contamination, promoting a healthier aquatic ecosystem and safeguarding water quality for both human and environmental health.

Using high nitrogen fertilizers, applying fertilizers during heavy rain, or increasing fertilizer rates can lead to nutrient runoff, which is detrimental to water bodies as it can cause algal blooms and degrade water quality. Therefore, these practices are discouraged near sensitive areas like lakes and rivers.