Agricultural Systems最新文献

CONTEXT

Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing cropping systems in a given context is a key first step before designing new, more sustainable cropping systems. The concept of multifunctionality can be a useful tool for cropping system assessment. Whether and how cropping systems and specific management practices might modulate agroecosystem multifunctionality remains unknown, as do the potential trade-offs and synergies among functions.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to (i) assess the multifunctionality of annual cropping systems by estimating their agronomic, ecological and socio-economic performances; (ii) identify trade-offs and synergies among functions; (iii) highlight management practices that can be mobilized to foster synergies between agricultural production and other functions.

METHODS

We measured 14 primary variables, used as proxies for seven functions, in 20 conventional and 20 organic winter cereal fields, in northwestern France. We considered three management practice description levels: (i) farming system (i.e. organic vs. conventional), (ii) combination of management practices that defines a cropping system, and (iii) individual management practices.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

We found a strong trade-off between functions related to ecological performance and agronomic, socio-economic performances, especially between biodiversity conservation and food and feed production. Organic systems tended to minimize this trade-off. Our study also revealed contrasts in levels of functions despite similar multifunctionality value across cropping systems. The number of field interventions and nitrogen inputs were the main drivers of cropping system multifunctionality and its underlying functions. The results indicate that specific management practices, such as reducing within-field interventions and nitrogen fertilization amount, could be integrated even in conventional cropping systems to improve multifunctionality. More generally, our work opens the door to further studies on how agricultural management fosters the simultaneous provision of multiple functions including socio-economic ones.

SIGNIFICANCE

Besides multifunctionality assessment of cropping systems, our study emphasizes the need to further explore how management practices shape the provision of multiple functions and their potential trade-offs. This knowledge is crucial to develop effective strategies for the design of sustainable cropping systems.

Land intensive grass-based dairy systems have the highest contribution to food security but may have a higher impact on the environment. The aim of this study was to classify dairy farms in terms of sustainable contribution to food security and analyze the farm characteristics related to these performances. To this end, we performed a sustainability assessment by calculating 17 indicators using FADN data of 209 Walloon (Belgium) dairy farms. Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process, 25 stakeholders of the Walloon milk upstream sector defined preference weights for the indicators. Farms were ranked using ELECTRE III using the mean weights for the dairy sector and grouped in four sustainability groups. A canonical discriminant analysis was performed on farm characteristics. Farm characteristics that negatively impact sustainability are the use of maize silage, the use of concentrates and the CP-content of these concentrates, the farm size, and the number of female followers per cow. The farm characteristic that positively impacts sustainability is the grassland yield. Milk production per cow, age at first calving, and calving interval have a negligible effect on sustainability. These results suggest that feed conversion efficiency is not a main driver of sustainability but rather that specific production means and practices play a more significant role in determining sustainability. Consequently, we argue that the search for efficiency that has been promoted to increase the sustainability of food systems should be placed in a systemic perspective in order to avoid trade-offs with other aspects and that, in general, an increase in efficiency is positively linked with sustainability when achieved through knowledge and technicity rather than by the addition of external inputs.

Context

Economic sustainability is a primary consideration when contemplating adoption of new farming practices to mitigate climate change. Quantifying the impact of adopting best practices to lower emissions on the profitability of dairy production systems is critical to encouraging rapid adoption at farm level to reach emissions reduction targets.

Objective

The aim was to evaluate the economic consequences of adoption of best practices to mitigate climate change in a typical compact spring-calving grassland-based system of dairy production in Ireland.

Methods

Data were collected from compact systems-scale experiments conducted at Solohead Research Farm, Co. Tipperary, Ireland (52°51′N, 08°21′W) between 2011 and 2022. There were three systems that had an average of 27 cows per system per year and an average annual stocking rate of 2.53 cows ha⁻¹. INT was the control in this study and included average annual fertiliser N input of 265 kg ha⁻¹, applied as calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN 27.5 % N) and urea (46 % N) and the average annual clover content of grassland dry matter was 110 g kg⁻¹, and slurry was applied by splash plate. BPN included average annual fertiliser N input of 99 kg ha⁻¹ applied as urea or protected urea, clover content was 230 g kg⁻¹ and slurry was applied by trailing shoe. BPO received minimal (<5 kg ha⁻¹) inputs of fertiliser N, clover content was 280 g kg⁻¹ and slurry was applied by trailing shoe. INT encompassed each of 7 experimental years, BPN 7 years and BPO 4 years. Herbage, milk and other production characteristics were measured. Relevant farm activity data was modelled on the basis of a 50 ha farm to compare the economic performance of the three systems.

Results and conclusions

There were no (P > 0.05) differences in herbage dry matter production per ha and milk production per cow between the three systems. BPO was more (P < 0.05) profitable than INT, whereas BPN was intermediate. Sensitivity of the systems to changing fertiliser N and milk price showed that BPO was more profitable (P < 0.05) in scenarios with intermediate or high fertiliser N prices. BPO had the potential to maintain or improve profitability with substantially lower greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions than conventional grassland-based dairy production (INT).

Significance

The adoption of practices to lower greenhouse gas emissions from grassland-based dairy production can maintain or improve farm profitability. These results support wider adoption on farms.

Context

Excessive fertilizer application and poor agronomy management result in adverse environmental impacts and high environmental and economic costs for ecological restoration.

Objective

Analyzing the integrated effects of nitrogen (N) management on environmental footprints, human health, and ecosystem economic benefits (EEB) is essential to intensive potato cultivation under drip irrigation in Northwest China.

Methods

In this study, field experiments were conducted from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate environmental footprints and EEB based on the life cycle assessment (LCA), and a random forest algorithm was used to identify the importance of indicators to N and carbon (C) footprints. The N fertilizer levels were denoted as no N fertilizer application (Control), farmer practice (FP), and optimized N management (OM) based on N-balance principles, soil mineral N, and target yield.

Results and conclusions

The results revealed that OM treatment remarkably reduced reactive N (Nr) losses, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, environmental footprints, and ecosystem costs and increased human health and net EEB potentials per tonne or hectare of potato production. The OM treatment achieved 47.8 %, 27.7 %, 48.8 %, 30.4 %, and 42.9 % lower Nr losses, GHG emissions, N footprint, C footprint, and ecological costs, and 19.6 % higher N-derived net EEB compared to the FP treatment, respectively. The N leaching to the N footprint and N fertilizer to the C footprint were the most critical indicators and gained the highest importance scores. The decreased environmental footprints and increased EEB of OM treatments matched environmentally sustainable demand more than the FP treatment.

Significance

Integrating management measures and optimized N fertilizer rates have significant potential for environmental impacts and sustainable development in an intensive potato system under drip irrigation.

Context

Pollination services are critical to crop production and human livelihoods, linking natural ecosystems directly to agricultural production systems. However, pollination services and pollinators are under constant threat from land-use changes and various other environmental pressures.

Objective

In this study, employing a case study of the entire Qilian Mountains in northwest China, the distribution of nectar sources in different land use types in the study area was determined through field survey and literature.

Methods

Based on 1990–2020 land use data, crop yield data, crop prices, pollinating bee species and nectar plants data. We used the Gross Ecological Product (GEP) accounting and InVEST model of pollination services and assessed the status and trends of pollination services, the risks posed by land use changes and environmental pressures, and suggested potential solutions for mitigating identified risks.

Results and conclusions

The results of the study showed that (1) nectar sources and nesting areas' potential distribution closely correlates with land use types; (2) the Pollinator abundance index (PAI) is above 0.30, a high level, and the Pollination potential index (PPI) is between 0.15 and 0.30, a medium level, with both indices generally increasing over the past 40 years; (3) Human economic activities and land management policies had the most significant impact on pollination services, with 15.57 % and 14.02 %, respectively. Climate change (temperature, precipitation, extreme events) and invasive alien species had relatively minor impacts, accounting for 0.14 % and 0.15 %, respectively. (4) The Qilian Mountains will face a new risk, whether monoculture or the expansion of pollinator-dependent crops could lead to habitat homogenization issues, potentially affecting pollinator abundance and diversity.

Significance

We recommend that future plans emphasize the provision of pollinator nesting resources along with floral resources, restoration of semi-natural and natural habitats adjacent to crops, adjustment of cropping patterns, and implementation of agricultural diversification, which will help to ensure pollinator diversity and sustainability of agroecosystem pollination services.

Context

Natural capital accounting is an emerging approach to help address the challenge of preventing further biodiversity loss while sustainably providing resources for a growing human population. It requires an effective and robust framework for quantifying natural capital on farms. State and transition models (STMs) have been used extensively to describe the range of observable condition states for an ecosystem and the processes that maintain states or drive shifts between them. Current STM frameworks have limited capacity for use in modified landscapes and therefore are currently unsuitable for many applications of natural capital accounting.

Objective

We aimed to develop an extended STM framework, using ‘Eucalyptus woodlands of south-eastern Australia’ as an example, to categorise ecological condition states unambiguously in high-resolution across whole farms.

Methods

We used synthesised current literature, consulted experts, and conducted field visits to develop and refine the STM.

Results and conclusions

We developed an STM that defines 35 condition states observable on farms in south-eastern Australia, ranging from ‘reference’ condition woodlands that have experienced minimal disturbance to highly modified derived grasslands and crops. The STM framework can be used to assign an ecological condition state to all areas on a farm.

Significance

The STM described here marks a significant advancement in farmland ecology and natural resource management. Using this tool and adapting the states and thresholds to fit other vegetation types, all ecosystems on a farm can be categorized based on ecological condition, which can then be mapped across whole farms. Ecosystem state mapping can be used to guide restoration actions, management trade-offs and track changes in ecological condition over time. These maps can be used to quantify natural capital on farms to form the basis of natural capital accounts and infer ecosystem service provision. This framework will facilitate biodiversity credential certification and help enable farmers to access price premiums and restricted markets, and ultimately, will enhance biodiversity conservation in farmlands while also enabling appropriate decisions regarding continuing agronomic use.