Erin Smith, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Environmental Management: Air, Water and Soil

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
361 Pictou Road, Bible Hill, NS, B2N 2T6

Current research and/or projects

  • Rodd, V., Wells, J., Fillmore, S., Smith, E. L., Gordon, R., Madani, A., MacLeod, J., Nyiraneza, J., Fuller, K., Grimmett, M. and Mills, A. 2021. Effect on forage yield and nutrient uptake of long-term surface application of manure at various rates and times in the growing season to timothy grown on two contrasting soils.Can. J. Soil Plant Sci. doi: 10.1139/CJPS-2020-0147

  • Smith, E. L.  Environmental Research: Biomass.  Dec. 1-3, 2020.  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada- German Biomass Research Center (DBFZ) Workshop. Virtual.

  • Smith, E. L., Rodd, V., Javorek, S., Kellman, L., McDonald, B. and Brenton, P.  Nov. 9-13, 2020.  The value of wetlands on the agricultural landscape. American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Translating Visionary Science to Practice. Virtual Meeting.
  • Smith, E. L., Vosman, A., Vernon, R. and Kellman, L.  2019.  Impact of plow timing on simultaneous nitrogen losses in potato.  J. Agric. Sci. Vol. 11. No. 2.
  • Smith, E.L., Vosman, A., Kellman, L. and Rodd. V.  2019.  Impact of drainage type on simultaneous nitrogen losses in Atlantic Canada.  Can. J. Soil Sci. 99: 1-10. 
  • Smith, E. L., Kellman, L. and Brenton, P.  2019. Restoration of on-farm constructed wetlands used to treat agricultural wastewater.  J. Agric. Sci. Vol. 11. No. 4.
  • Khakbazan, M., Nyiraneza, J., Yefang, Y., Rodd, V., Huang, J., Zebarth, B., Fuller, K. Smith, E. and Xie, R.  2019.  Economic effect of fall vs. spring plowing of forage on following potato production in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Agrosystems, Geosystems & Environment.  https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20010
  • Smith, E. L., Kellman, L., and Brenton, P.  Nov. 10-13, 2019.  Rehabilitation of on-farm constructed wetlands to protect surrounding agro-ecosystems in a changing climate.  American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Embracing the Digital Environment.  San Antonio, Texas. 
  • Nyiraneza, J., Rood, V., Uwituze, Y., Fraser, T., Smith, E., Fillmore, S. and Mills, A.  2018.  Long-term manure application effects on nutrients and selected enzymes involved in their cycling.  Soil Science Society of American Journal.  82: 1404-1414.
  • Roughan B., Kellman, L., Smith, E., Churma, G.L.  2018.  Nitrous oxide emissions could reduce the blue carbon value of marshes on eutrophic estuaries.  Environmental Research Letters. 13: (4) 044034 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aab63c
  • Smith, E. L., Vosman, A., Rodd, V., Kellman, L., Fuller, K., Nyiraneza, J., McDonald, B., Henry, R. Nov. 4-7, 2018.  Simultaneous losses of nitrogen via water and air from agricultural cropping systems.  American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Enhancing Productivity in a Changing Climate.  Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Smith, E. L., Audet, R., Hardin, R., Brouillette, P., and McDonald, B.  Nov. 4-7, 2018.  Decision support tools for agricultural producers managing climate related risks. American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Enhancing Productivity in a Changing Climate.  Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Levoy, S., Chmura, G. L., Smith, E. L.  May 24-26, 2018.  The effect of nutrient loading on the belowground biomass of salt marshes in Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Canada Coastal and Estuarine Science Society (ACCESS) 2018.  St. John’s, Newfoundland. 
  • Smith, E. L., Audet, R., Hardin, R., Brouillette, P., Cote, C. and McDonald, B.  Jan. 22, 2018. Agricultural weather website for Atlantic Canada.  Nova Scotia Horticulture Congress.  Greenwich, NS. 
  • Smith, E. L., Audet, R., Hardin, R., Brouillette, P. and McDonald, B.  Sept. 15-17, 2017. Climate adaptation options for agricultural producers managing risks. International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation. Toronto.
  • Smith, E., Audet, R., Hardin, R., Brouillette, P. and McDonald, B.  Sept. 15-17, 2017. AgWeather Atlantic.  International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation. Toronto.
  • Rodd, A.V., Smith, E. L., Fuller, K., Burton, D., Anderson, S., Henry, R., McMullen, D., Grimmett, M., Khakbazan, M., Hebb, D., Fillmore, S., Nyiraneza, J., Janes, D., Jenkins, S., Murray, B., MacDonald, B., Jiang, Y. and Pratt, W. January 18th, 2017. Temperature Based Fall Plowing. CRDC/FRDC Seminar Series 2016/2017.  
  • Rodd, A.V., Anderson, S., Zoski, E., Lapen, D., Smith, E., Khakbazan, M., Henry, R., Murray, B., Grimmett, M., McMullen, D., Burton, D., Fillmore, S. Janes, D., Nyiraneza, J., Kuehnbaum, A., Handyside, P., Jiang, Y. and Jenkins, S. January 18th, 2017.  Harrington Woodchip Denitrification Bio-reactors-What are they and why are we interested. CRDC/FRDC Seminar Series 2016/2017.
  • Jeykumar, L., McKenzie, D., Smith, E., Derdall, E., Zhang, H., Unc, A., Galagedara, L., Todd, S., and Bishop, G.  Nov. 2-3, 2016.  Overview of novel development of wood-chips bioreactor system to reduce pollution effects of agricultural tile drainage water.  Our Food, Our Future Symposium. St. John’s, NL.
  • Vosman, A. E., Smith, E. L., Kellman, L. M., Rodd, V.A. and McDonald, B. C.  July 3-6, 2016.  Nitrogen losses from subsurface tile drainage systems under various management practices within potato, barley and corn production.   Canadian Society for Bioengineering (CSBE/SCGAB) Annual General Meeting and Technical Conference. Halifax, NS.
  • Rodd, V., Mills, A., Zebarth, B., Smith, E., Nyiraneza, J., Grimmett, M., Khakbazan, M., Mohr, R., Fillmore, S. and Jiang, Y. Jan. 29, 2016. Spring vs Fall Plowing Research. PEI Federation of Agriculture Annual Meeting. Charlottetown, PEI.
  • Smith, E., Audet, R., and Brouillette, P.  Nov. 16, 2015.  Future of AgWeather Atlantic.  Atlantic Federation of Agriculture.  Halifax, NS.  
  • Smith, E. L., Audet, R., and Hardin, R.  Nov. 15-18, 2015.  Managing on-farm climate risks using decision support tools in Atlantic Canada. American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Synergy in Science. Partnering for Solutions. Minneapolis, MN.
  • Smith, E. L., Audet, R., Hardin, R., Brouillette, P., Cote, C., McDonald, B.  Nov. 15-18, 2015.  A new agricultural weather website for Atlantic Canada.  American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Synergy in Science. Partnering for Solutions.  Minneapolis, MN.
  • Smith, E.L., Audet, R., Bouillette, P. Nov. 13, 2015. AgWeather Atlantic. Annual Federation of the Atlantic Meeting.  Halifax, NS. 
  • Chmura, G.  Roughan, B., Kellman, L. and Smith, E.  Nov. 8-12, 2015.  Eutrophication is also a climate problem – nitrous oxide emissions from saltmarshes in agricultural watersheds. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation 23rd Biennial Conference. Portland, Oregon.
  • Smith, E. and Audet, R. Nov. 27-28, 2014.  AgWeather Atlantic. Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture 119th Annual General Meeting and Tradeshow. Truro, NS.
  • Smith, E., Audet, R. and Hardin, R.  Nov. 2-5, 2014. Climate adaptation options for Atlantic Canada.  American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Conference.  Long Beach, CA.
  • Fuller, K.D., Burton, D.L., Rodd, A.V., Smith, E., Grimmett, M.G., Nyiraneza, J., Jiang, Y., Khakbazan, M., and Van Roestel, J. November 2-6, 2014.  Nitrogen dynamics in twin row versus conventional row silage corn in Atlantic Canada. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting: Grand Challenges – Great Solutions, Long Beach, CA, USA.
  • Fuller, K.D., Burton, D.L., Rodd, A.V., Smith, E., Grimmett, M.G., Nyiraneza, J., Jiang, Y., Khakbazan, M., and Van Roestel, J.  November 2-6, 2014.  Improving Hayfield for Forage Quality while Minimizing Nitrate Loading of Tile Drainage in Atlantic Canada. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting: Grand Challenges – Great Solutions. Long Beach, CA, USA,
  • Smith, E. and Audet, R. July 20-22, 2014. AgWeather Atlantic.  Atlantic Agrology Workshop. Sustainable Water Footprint.  PEI Institute of Agorologists.  Stanley Bridge, PEI.
  • Rodd, A.V., Smith, E., Burton, D.L., Grimmett, M.G., Fuller, K.D., Jiang, Y., Jenkins, S., Janes, D.E., Jolliemore, L., Murray, B., and Power, I.  July 20-22, 2014.  Effect of Temperature Based Fall Plowing on Soil N Dynamics in Potato Production. Sustainable Water Footprint.  Joint meeting NS Institute of Agrologists and PEI Institute of Agrologist. Stanley Bridge, PEI.
  • Wood, J., VanderZagg, A., Smith, E. and Gordon, R. 2014. Gaseous emissions from liquid dairy manure: complete vs. incomplete storage. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 99:95-105.
  • Smith, E. and Kellman, L.  2011.  Examination of nitrate concentration, loading and isotope dynamics in subsurface drainage under standard agricultural cropping in Atlantic Canada.  Journal of Environmental Management. 92:2892-2899.
  • Smith, E. and Kellman, L.  2011.  Nitrate Loading and Isotopic Signatures in Subsurface Agricultural Drainage Systems.  Journal of Environmental Quality.  40:1257-1265.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C., Campbell, A., Génermont, S., Rochette, P. and Mkhabela, M.  2009.  Simulated management effects on ammonia emissions from field applied manure.  Journal of Environmental Management. 90:2531-2536.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C., Campbell, A., Génermont, S., Rochette, P. and Mkhabela, M.  2009.  Simulating ammonia loss from surface applied manure.  Canadian Journal of Soil Science. 89:357-367.
  • Mkhabela, M.S., Gordon, R. Burton, D., Smith, E. and Madani, A.  2009.  The impact of management practices and meteorological conditions on ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions following application of hog slurry to forage grass in Nova Scotia.  Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment.  130:41-49.
  • Mkhabela, M.S. Gordon, R. Burton, D., Smith, E. and Madani, A.  Aug. 5-7, 2009.  Simultaneous reduction of ammonia, nitrous oxide and odour emissions from surface-applied hog slurry applied to grass in Atlantic Canada.  Canadian Society of Agronomy (CSA)/Canadian Society of Soil Science (CSSS)/Canadian Society of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology (CSAFM). Guelph, Ontario.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C. and Campbell, A.  2008.  Management strategies to simultaneously reduce ammonia, nitrous oxide and odour emissions from surface applied swine manure.  Canadian Journal of Soil Science. 88:571-584.
  • Mkhabela, M.S., Gordon, R., Smith, E., Madani, A. and Burton, D.  2008.  Measurement of odour emissions using micrometeorological techniques following application of hog slurry to grass.  Canadian Biosystems Engineering. 50:6.37-6.45.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C., Campbell, A., Génermont, S., Rochette, P. and Mkhabela, M.  Oct. 5-9, 2008.  Predicting management effects on ammonia emissions from field applied manure.  2008 American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Conference.  Houston, Texas. 
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C., Campbell, A., Génermont, S., Rochette, P. and Mkhabela, M.  Oct. 5-9, 2008.  Simulating ammonia losses from land applied manure using Volt’Air: Part II.  2008 American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Conference.  Houston, Texas. 
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C. and Campbell, A. Nov. 4-9, 2007.  Management strategies to simultaneously reduce ammonia, nitrous oxide and odour emissions following surface application of swine manure.  2007 American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Conference.  New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C. and Campbell, A.  Feb. 24-25, 2007.  Gaseous emissions from land application of manure.  15th Annual Graduate Student Research Conference, University of New Brunswick.  Frederiction, New Brunswick.
  • Gordon, R., Madani, A., Stratton, G., Wood, J., Smith, E., MacPhee, N., Tattrie, S., VanderZaag, A. and Glass, V.  2007.  Progress in the understanding of constructed wetlands in the agricultural context.  Proceedings of Multi Functions of Wetland Systems.  Padova, Italy.
  • Gordon, R., Wood, J., Vanderzagg, A., Smith, E., Tattrie, S., MacPhee, N., Stratton, G. and Madani, A.  2007.  Treatment wetland research in Atlantic Canada.  In: Connecting Management to Aquatic Communities. West Virgina Water Research Symposium. West Virgina. CD Rom.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Madani, A. and Stratton, G.  2006.  Year-round treatment of dairy wastewater by constructed wetlands in Atlantic Canada.  Wetlands Journal.  26(2):349-357.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Madani, A. and Stratton, G.  2005.  Cold climate hydrological flow characteristics of constructed wetlands.  Canadian Biosystems Engineering.  47:1.1-1.7.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C. and Campbell, A.  April 15, 2005.  Evaluation of NH3, N2O and odour emissions from surface applied liquid and solid swine manure.  Greenhouse Gas Symposium.  Truro, Nova Scotia.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C. and Campbell, A.  2007.  Assessment of odour emissions from land applied swine manure.  Canadian Biosystems Engineering.  49:6.33-6.40.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C. and Campbell, A.  2007.  Comparison of three simple field methods for ammonia volatilization from manure.  Canadian Journal of Soil Science. 87:469-477.
  • Jamieson, R., Gordon, R., Wheeler, N., Smith, E., Stratton, G. and Madani, A.  2007.  Determination of first order rate constants for wetlands treating livestock wastewater in cold climates.  Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science.  6:65-72.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Bourque, C., Campbell, A., Génermont, S., Rochette, P. and Mkhabela, M.  Nov. 4-9, 2007.  Predicting ammonia emissions from land applied manure.  2007 American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Conference.  New Orleans, Louisiana. 
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Madani, A. and Stratton, G.  2005.  Pathogen removal by agricultural constructed wetlands in cold climates.  Journal of Environmental Informatics.  6(1):46-50. 
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Madani, A. and Stratton, G.  March 23-27, 2003.  Operation of wetlands in cold climates. Canada Water Network: National Symposium.  Saint John, New Brunswick. 
  • Smith, E., Wheeler, N., Miles-MacDonnell, M., Tattrie, S., Madani, A., Gordon, R. and Stratton, G.  Dec. 15-18, 2003.  Use of constructed wetland technology to improve agricultural water quality.  International Conference on Water and Environment. Bhopal, India.
  • Madani, A., Gordon, R., Stratton, G. and Smith, E.  2003. Water quality research activities in Nova Scotia. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Canadian Water Resources Association. pp. 257-263. Vancouver, British Columbia. 
  • Smith, E., Fahie, C., Gordon, R. and Gagnon, G.  2002.  Agricultural wastes (Review Paper). Water Environmental Research Journal.  73(5):1-24.
  • Smith, E., Gordon, R., Madani, A. and Stratton, G.  July 28-30, 2002.  Evaluation of water quality parameters in cold climate agricultural constructed wetlands.  American Society of Agricultural Engineers International Conference.  Chicago, Illinois.  Paper No. 02-2057.
  • Smith, E. April 29-30, 2002. Evaluation of water quality parameters in agricultural constructed wetland treatment systems in cold climates.  National Conference on Agricultural Nutrients and Their Impact on Rural Water Quality: Agricultural Institute of Canada Foundation. Waterloo, Ontario.

Key publications

  1. Maillard, É., Chantigny, M., Smith, E., Fuller, K.D., Vandersaag, A., Gregorich, E., Samson, M.-É., Pelster, D., Angers, D., and Thivierge, M.-N. 2023. Réponse à court terme d’indicateurs de santé du sol à des pratiques de gestion associées à la production laitière dans l’Est du Canada. 37th Annual Meeting of the Association québécoise des spécialistes en sciences du sol (AQSSS), Québec, Canada, May 23–25, 2023. Oral presentation

    2023 - View publication details

  2. Smith, E. L., Lynds, B., and McDonald, B. 2023. Constructed wetlands: nutrient management and carbon sequestration. AAFC no.: 13154E, ISBN: 978-0-660-47703-9, Catalogue no.: A72-156/2023E-PDF.

    2023 - View publication details

  3. Smith, E., McDonald, B., Cambouris, A. and Chase, D. Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from potato production systems. Nov. 6-9, 2022. ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting: Communication and Public Engagement for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet. Baltimore, Maryland.

    2022 - View publication details

  4. ISBN: 978-0-660-45136-7, No: 13133E

    2022 - View publication details

  5. Vankoughnett, M. and Smith, E. 2021 Progress Report. Nova Scotia Business Inc: Productivity and Innovation Voucher. Determining the impact different frost rates on early season potato physiology and yields.

    2021 - View publication details

  6. Cambouris, A. N., Duchemin, M., Ziadi, N., Smith, E. L., Arnould, S. and Fenech, A. Jun. 15-17, 2021. Nitrogen management in potato production in Prince Edward Island through management zones. Association Quebecoise de specialists en sciences du soil (AQSSS) 2021 Congress. Virtual Meeting.

    2021 - View publication details

  7. Smith, E.L. March 25-26, 2021. Greenhouse gas mitigation under precise nitrogen management. Living Lab Science Review Workshop. Virtual Workshop.

    2021 - View publication details

  8. Smith, E. L. Environmental Sustainability: Biomass. Dec. 1-3, 2020. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada-German Biomass Research Center (DBFZ) Workshop. Virtual.

    2020 - View publication details

  9. Arcand, Y., Bittman, S., Britten, M., Champagne, C., Daneshfar, B., David, S., Davidson, A., Derdall, E. Drury, C., Eden, J., Handyside, P., Hung, Y., Javorek, S., Jiang, Y., Jingui, Y., Jordan, C., Joosse, P., Li, S., McAuley, E., McNairn, H., MacDonald, D., Pacheco, A., Powers, J., Reid, K., Smith, E. L., Topp, E., Vanrobaeys, J., Villeneuve, S., Wilson, H., Yang, J. Agricultural Land Use. Synthesis of Science. Canada Water Agency Report. Freshwater Science Assessment-Line of Inquiry. Nov. 20, 2020.

    2020 - View publication details

  10. Smith, E. L., Rodd, V., Javorek, S., Kellman, L., McDonald, B. and Brenton, P. Nov. 9-13, 2020. The value of wetlands on the agricultural landscape. American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Translating Visionary Science to Practice. Virtual Meeting.

    2020 - View publication details

  11. Murphy, M., Smith, E., Davidson, T., Wentzell, J., Bataglia, S. and Austin-Smith, P. 2019. Climate change impacts for water resources for agriculture. Clean Annapolis River Project. Factsheet.

    2019 - View publication details

  12. Murphy, M., Smith, E. and Davidson, T., Wentzell, J., Bataglia, S. and Austin-Smith, P. 2019. Adopting resilient farming practices in a changing climate. Clean Annapolis River Project. Factsheet.

    2019 - View publication details

  13. Smith, E. L., Kellman, L., and Brenton, P. Nov. 10-13, 2019. Rehabilitation of on-farm constructed wetlands to protect surrounding agro-ecosystems in a changing climate. American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Embracing the Digital Environment. San Antonio, Texas.

    2019 - View publication details

  14. Vankoughnett, M. and Smith, E. 2019 Final Report. Nova Scotia Business Inc: Productivity and Innovation Voucher. SeaTree Organic Charcoal. Does the addition of biochar reduce irrigation demands for tomatoes.

    2019 - View publication details

  15. Vankoughnett, M. and Smith, E. 2019 Final Report. Nova Scotia Business Inc: Productivity and Innovation Voucher. Orchestra Farm Entoculture Inc. Investigating the potential for insect frass as a fertilizer for strawberry production.

    2019 - View publication details

  16. Vankoughnett, M. and Smith, E. 2019 Final Report. Nova Scotia Business Inc: Productivity and Innovation Voucher. Investigating if the addition of a seaweed biostimulant reduces frost damage for early season potato production system.

    2019 - View publication details

  17. Smith, E., Kellman, L. and Brenton, P. 2019. Restoration for on-farm constructed wetland systems used to treat agricultural wastewater. J. Agric. Sci. 11(4): 1. DOI: 10.5539/jas.v11n4p1

    2019 - View publication details

  18. Smith, E., Vosman, A., Rodd, V. and Kellman, L. 2019. Impact of plow timing on simultaneous nitrogen losses in potato production systems using conventional tillage practices. J. Agric. Sci. 11(2). DOI:10.5539/jas.v11n2p12

    2019 - View publication details

  19. Smith, E.L., Vosman, A., Kellman, L., Rodd, V. (2019). Impact of drainage type on simultaneous nitrogen losses in Atlantic Canada. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, [online] 99(1), 70-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2018-0115

    2019 - View publication details

  20. Smith, E. L., Vosman, A., Rodd, V., Kellman, L., Fuller, K., Nyiraneza, J., McDonald, B., Henry, R. Nov. 4-7, 2018. Simultaneous losses of nitrogen via water and air from agricultural cropping systems. American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) International Annual Meeting: Enhancing Productivity in a Changing Climate. Baltimore, Maryland.

    2018 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Kentville Research and Development Centre
32 Main Street
Kentville, NS B4N 1J5
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Agro-Ecosystem productivity and health
Agriculture›Environmental science›Agriculture-environment interactions
Agriculture›Soil science›Nutrient cycling
Agriculture›Water›Water and nutrient management
Environment›Climate›Climate change mitigation

Language

English