Extended Data Fig. 3: Analysis of empirical data used by Cheng &Basu3 to develop the k–τ relationship used in our study.
From: Maximizing US nitrate removal through wetland protection and restoration
a, N removed at the individual wetland scale. Data were obtained from a global meta-analysis of 178 wetlands. b, N removal efficiency, ρ, calculated as the ratio between N removal and N inputs to the wetland. c, N removal-rate constant, k, estimated as a function of ρ and empirically based estimates of wetland residence times, τ, assuming that N removal within the wetland follows first-order kinetics. d, A strong inverse relationship was found between k and wetland residence time τ. This relationship between size and N removal-rate constants allows us, in this work, to more accurately upscale to the continental US scale than has previously been achieved.