Agricultural Systems最新文献

{"title":"The uptake of European soy production: Insights from a participatory agent-based model","authors":"Siavash Farahbakhsh ,&nbsp;Kaat Peeters ,&nbsp;Joke Pannecoucque ,&nbsp;Greet Tavernier ,&nbsp;Birgit Vanden Berghen ,&nbsp;Jef Van Meensel","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>While there is potential for soy production in Europe, many European regions still struggle to adopt soy cultivation. Consequently, the European market is heavily dependent on imports from overseas. At the same time, in line with current literature, the EU is paying specific attention to the necessity of yield improvement through research funding, training, and learning instruments, as well as allocating direct subsidies for protein crops. However, it is yet unclear how such efforts could result in the adoption of soy, given farmers' perceptions of yield instability due to climate change and environmental stress factors.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This research aims to examine the effect of different factors on soybeans adoption in a systemic way, considering socioeconomic and environmental dimensions as well as farmers' decision-making dynamics.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Relying on the case Flanders, one of the struggling European regions, and considering potential value chains for arable and dairy farming, this research develops a participatory agent-based model.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The results show the interaction between yield and price, highlight the limitations of subsidies' effects and support the focus on learning, training, and the importance of yield improvements in the adoption process of soybean in Flanders.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study provides a dynamic perspective into the problem of soybean adoption in Europe by examining farmers' decision-making processes and the social environment that influences their choices and perceptions of success.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104264"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143183492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How do diet shifts affect the greenhouse gas balance of agricultural soils? Denmark as a case study","authors":"Vasilis Michailidis ,&nbsp;Emanuele Lugato ,&nbsp;Panos Panagos ,&nbsp;Diego Grados ,&nbsp;Florian Freund ,&nbsp;Arwyn Jones ,&nbsp;Diego Abalos","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Current food systems account for approximately 30 % of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; therefore, consumers' dietary preferences can have strong environmental consequences. This is well known for the GHG mitigation achieved by reducing animal protein consumption and associated methane emissions. However, the impact of diet shifts on the soil GHG balance has not been comprehensively evaluated yet.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>To comprehensively assess the impact of the EAT-Lancet healthy diet on the net soil GHG balance at a national level with an advanced process-based modelling framework, using Denmark as a case study.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We adopted a two-sided approach. Firstly, we used the economic general equilibrium model MAGNET to quantify the demand-driven changes in food consumption and land use at the national level following the adoption of the EAT-Lancet healthy diet for the European Union (EU). We then used the DayCent process-based biogeochemical model to assess the implications of these changes for the GHG balance of agricultural soils at a national scale in Denmark.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Our findings indicate that, compared to business-as-usual diets, the full adoption of the EAT-Lancet reference diet would cause significant carbon losses (up to 480 Gg CO₂e y⁻¹) and increased N₂O emissions (2.1 % representing 50 Gg CO₂e y⁻¹) from 2030 to 2100 in agricultural soils. These changes primarily stem from the reduction in animal manure application to soil and a decrease in the share of permanent grasslands. The soil GHG balance differed largely across pedo-climatic conditions.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Although these results do not cancel the GHG reductions achieved by reducing livestock production (1390 Gg CO₂e y⁻¹), they underscore the importance of comprehensively accounting for soil GHG emissions as they offset some of the benefits of adopting a plant-based healthy diet. Finally, the marked regional variation in net soil GHG balances highlights the need for spatially explicit assessments in other regions and at larger scales.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104263"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143183491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climate change and agronomic management: Addressing wheat yield gaps and sustainability challenges in the Mediterranean and MENA regions","authors":"Davide Tita ,&nbsp;Karrar Mahdi ,&nbsp;Krishna Prasad Devkota ,&nbsp;Mina Devkota","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104242","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104242","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;CONTEXT&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Wheat is a crucial crop for food and nutritional security in Mediterranean and MENA regions, yet it faces significant challenges due to high yield variability, low average productivity, and substantial yield gaps. This highlights the urgent need for improved agricultural practices to enhance its productivity and resilience. The region's climate climate change, soil degradation, and water supply variability significantly impact wheat production, requiring innovative and integrated solutions to minimize yield gaps and improve sustainability.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;OBJECTIVES&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impacts of climate change and agronomic management practices (supplementary irrigation, nitrogen fertilizer, planting date) on wheat yields across diverse agro-ecological zones in the Mediterranean region under current and future climate scenarios.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;METHODOLOGY&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Using advanced crops modeling DSSAT (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer) and scenario analysis, wheat yields were simulated under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate scenarios for 11 representative sites of 7 countries, for the time periods 2010–2040, 2040–2070, and 2075–2099. Study countries and sites include: Morocco (Rabat-Salé and Marrakech-Safi), Spain (North Aragon), Egypt (Al Garbiyia and North Sinai), Italy (Sardinia), Jordan (Amman and Irbid), Turkey (Ankara and Edirne), and Iran (Zagros). The DSSAT model was calibrated and validated for 11 dominant wheat varieties (one variey per site) to simulate potential and attainable yields and the effect of agronomic practices such as supplemental irrigation, nitrogen application, and seeding dates to identify strategies for sustaining productivity across different locations and countries.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Wheat yields across all regions are projected to decline by -18% to -20% under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 by 2040, -28% to -27% by 2070, and -30% to -28% by 2099, compared to historical averages. Arid regions, such as North Sinai (Egypt) and Zagros (Iran), are projected to experience severe yield declines of 60–88% by the end of the century under RCP 8.5. Optimal agronomic practices, including supplemental irrigation (60–100 mm) and nitrogen application (60–120 kg ha⁻¹), improved yields by 30–50% (attainable yield exeeding 6 t ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) and enhanced water productivity by 25–70%. Optimal seeding dates between November 1&lt;sup&gt;st&lt;/sup&gt; and 30&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; were identified as critical, while delayed sowing reduced yields by up to 50%. Nitrogen losses exceeded 60 kg N ha⁻¹ in regions with high nitrogen application rates.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;SIGNIFICANCE&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Climate change will lead to substantial yield losses compared to historical baselines, particularly under RCP 8.5, emphasizing the urgency of adaptation strategies and climate action. The study highlights the importance of integrated nutrient and water managemen","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104242"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142986278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contribution of large-scale irrigation systems to food security and economic security: Evidence from the Bagré irrigation scheme in Burkina Faso","authors":"Abdoulaye Tapsoba,&nbsp;Françoise Gérard","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104252","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104252","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>In the context of global change, large irrigation schemes are once again at the forefront of regional and national development plans. The Bagré irrigation scheme in Burkina Faso, with 16,780 ha planned, of which 3380 ha already under cultivation, is emblematic of this renewed interest. However, it is worth remembering that large irrigation schemes in sub-Saharan Africa have rarely delivered the expected benefits in terms of poverty alleviation and food sovereignty. A detailed analysis of the mechanisms at work can inform decision-makers about the risks of failure and how to prevent them.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>Understand why, despite the near quadrupling of cereal yields in the Bagré irrigation scheme compared with the rainfed area around, there has been no progress in poverty reduction and food sovereignty.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>To assess the contribution of this irrigation scheme to food and economic security, we compared the situation of 180 households on and off the scheme using a holistic approach. In-depth statistical analyses at the household level were combined with participatory analyses, using focus group discussions, the co-construction of food and economic security thresholds, and informal interviews. This helps to identify the underlying causes of the poor performance of this scheme and to discuss with stakeholders on solutions for enhancing their livelihoods.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>84 % of households in the irrigation scheme suffer from economic insecurity and 38 % from weak food security. Their situation is worse than that of households located outside the scheme (64 % and 25 %, respectively). This is mainly attributed to low access to off-farm opportunities and to irrigated land per worker: 0.30 ha, whereas at least 0.50 ha (or access to off-farm jobs) is needed to meet the needs of a worker and a dependent relative. If the high cost of land development (€15,000/ha) explains the allocation of small plots, the economic rationale for spending much money to keep people in poverty and in a more vulnerable situation than before is questionable. Environmental degradation is also significant (soil degradation, river pollution, and destruction of wildlife habitats).</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study contributes to the debate on the ability of large irrigation schemes to reduce poverty and increase cereal production. This is an important issue, as there is renewed interest in these schemes following the 2008 food crisis. In Burkina Faso, large irrigation projects remain a priority, and the Bagré irrigation scheme is undergoing expansion, without a larger land area allocated to beneficiary households.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104252"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143183358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding the drivers of smallholder dairy cooperative participation in developing countries: Evidence from rural Zambia","authors":"Haotian Cheng ,&nbsp;John N. Ng'ombe ,&nbsp;Yejun Choi ,&nbsp;Thomson H. Kalinda ,&nbsp;Shi Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Smallholder dairy farmers are among the primary dairy producers in developing countries. In Zambia, they contribute more than 80 % of the country's milk production, which amounts to approximately $80 million annually. Understanding the factors that influence smallholder dairy farmers' decisions to join cooperatives is crucial for enhancing cooperative participation and improving dairy production efficiency in the region.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The primary goal of this study is to investigate the determinants of smallholder dairy farmers' decisions to join cooperatives, while also comparing the predictive performance of the random effects logit model and the random forest model in identifying these factors.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Data were collected from 515 rural smallholder dairy farmers in Zambia. The analysis utilizes a random effects logit model and a random forest model to identify the factors influencing farmers' decisions to join dairy cooperatives.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Three primary findings were observed. First, the RF model exhibited superior predictive accuracy compared to the random effects logit model, aligning with existing literature on the enhanced predictive capabilities of machine learning techniques. Second, several key factors, including physical proximity to cooperative offices, educational attainment, and dairy farming experience, were identified from the random effects logit model as significantly influencing current farmers' decisions to join dairy cooperatives. Third, the random forest model indicated that demographic and economic characteristics—specifically age of the household head, household size, total cow ownership, dependency ratio, and farming experience—are expected to be the most influential predictors of cooperative membership in future scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Findings suggest the need for establishing cooperative offices closer to rural farming communities in developing countries to enhance accessibility and encourage cooperative participation. Policies should focus on improving educational levels and providing accessible knowledge sources through governmental and non-governmental initiatives to foster cooperative membership. Addressing the reluctance of wealthier farmers to join cooperatives requires tailored interventions such as incentives, awareness campaigns, or targeted outreach efforts emphasizing the benefits of cooperative membership across different resource levels.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104261"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143183178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of spatiotemporal change in cropland use on local urban cereal supply in China","authors":"Xin Ye ,&nbsp;Ai Xiang ,&nbsp;Runyi Gao ,&nbsp;Xiaowei Chuai","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104259","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104259","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Local cereal production influences the sustainability of urban food system. Food self-sufficiency is widely studied on national and regional scale. However, few previous research focuses on urban cereal supply from a perspective of land use change.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>In this study, we studied the spatiotemporal change of urban cereal supply and the impact of cropland use change on urban cereal supply in Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2000 to 2019.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>This paper uses cereal (rice, wheat and maize) harvesting raster data, land use data and statistical data to calculate urban cereal supply. Spatial analysis and the geographically and temporally weighted regression model (GTWR) are used to investigate the impact of cropland use change on urban cereal supply.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The results show that urban cereal supply of each Chinese city increases from 27 × 10⁴ t to 113 × 10⁴ t per year in the study period. The annual loss of urban cereal supply caused by cropland area change is 678 × 10⁴ t. Labor cost, pesticide fee and drainage and irrigation fee have positive impact on urban cereal supply, and the coefficients of labor cost continuously increase. Adaptation of agricultural inputs to local conditions is necessary.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This work designs a new framework to describe the relationship between cropland use and urban cereal supply, which expands the understanding of urban-rural relationship in China and will contribute to reaching UN'S sustainable target.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104259"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143183177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The moderating effect of training, subsidies and propaganda on the relationship between psychological factors and farmers' willingness to reduce chemical fertilizer application: Evidence from dryland farming areas of China","authors":"Xinxing Wang,&nbsp;Xueyan Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Excessive use of chemical fertilizer severely impacts the ecological environment and presents considerable challenges to food security and agricultural sustainability. To address this issue, governments worldwide have implemented incentive measures, such as technical training, agricultural subsidies, and propaganda guidance. However, the effectiveness of these measures in enhancing farmers' willingness to reduce fertilizer application remains uncertain. Additional clarity is needed on whether the moderating effect of different incentive measures varies across crop types.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>Using a case-study approach, the moderating effect of incentive measures on farmers' willingness to reduce chemical fertilizer usage is evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Qin'an County, located in the dryland farming region of the Loess Plateau, China, was selected as the case-study area. We analyzed 566 valid questionnaires by constructing structural equation and hierarchical regression models.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The results show that attitude (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), perceived behavior control (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), and moral norm (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) were the crucial psychological factors affecting farmers' willingness to reduce fertilizer application. Incentive measures played an important role in moderating farmers' willingness to reduce chemical fertilizer usage. Among these measures, technical training positively regulated the relationship between moral norm and farmers' willingness to reduce fertilizer usage (increased by 33.2 % for each unit), but had the opposite effect on attitude and the willingness to reduce fertilizer application (decreased by 29.3 % for each unit). Propaganda positively moderated the relationship between moral norm and farmers' willingness to reduce fertilizer application (increased by 22.4 % for each unit). In addition, the moderating effects of the incentive measures differed among grain, fruit, and vegetable cultivation, with the most strongly significant moderation impact observed on grain cultivation.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>The findings will assist policymakers to understand and develop improved incentive measures to promote a comprehensive transition from dryland agriculture to sustainable agriculture in China and globally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104257"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143183176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Model-based decision support for the choice of active spring frost protection measures in apple production","authors":"Christine Schmitz ,&nbsp;Lars Zimmermann ,&nbsp;Katja Schiffers ,&nbsp;Cory Whitney ,&nbsp;Martin Balmer ,&nbsp;Eike Luedeling","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104255","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104255","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Late spring frosts are a major problem for apple production in Germany. Frost events frequently lead to yield losses and quality reduction. This has motivated the development of several frost protection measures, which differ in terms of effectiveness, costs and workload. In many cases, it is an open question for fruit growers if investing in frost protection is worthwhile and which strategy would most positively affect their bottom line.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>To support decision-making, we applied a participatory process with frost protection experts to build a probabilistic model.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The model was designed to investigate the impact of choices between eight active protection measures on an orchard's economic performance (Net Present Value, NPV) and apple yield, compared to apple production without frost protection. We applied this model to two important German apple production regions, the Rhineland and the Lake Constance region.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The highest chance for increasing the NPV was determined for the use of stationary wind machines in the Lake Constance region (46 %), while overhead irrigation had the strongest effect on apple yield in both regions. Results indicate that frost protection measures do not necessarily increase farmers' revenues in the current economic situation. However, as these measures improve yield stability, supporting the investment in frost protection could help to maintain and stabilize regional apple production.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>The results indicate the importance of effectively managing uncertainties inherent in horticultural decision-making processes. They help growers make informed choices on frost protection measures to ensure economically feasible apple production under changing climatic and economic conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104255"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142935940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergies between rice production security and soil-related ecosystem services: From field observations to policy implementations","authors":"Kuan-Ting Lin ,&nbsp;Shu-Yuan Pan ,&nbsp;Mei-Hua Yuan ,&nbsp;Yi-Ting Zhang ,&nbsp;Horng-Yuh Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Agroecosystems provide crop provisioning service to support food security, as well as regulating services to maintain soil health. However, the relationships among ecosystem services (ES), rice production security, and soil attributes remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The study evaluates ecosystem services in a key rice production area and assesses factors such as productivity and soil conditions.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The study exemplifies a prominent rice-producing region in Taiwan and conducts three studies: (1) assessing and visualizing the status of land use, soil properties, and ecosystem services; (2) exploring the relationship between ES and environmental attributes; and (3) monetizing and analyzing the clustering of ES.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>We visualize cropland ES including crop provision, soil carbon storage, water retention, nutrient retention, and soil erosion control. The relationship analysis indicates positive correlations between regulating services and crop productivity, as well as between soil carbon storage and soil conditions such as coarse texture and low drainage. It also highlights the importance of maintaining the agricultural environment and soil health. The valuation of cropland ES is estimated at US$16,400 per hectare per year, with soil carbon storage and water retention being the most significant contributors. Cluster analysis delineates spatial ES characteristics, guiding local sustainable management practices.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study highlights the critical role of soil ecosystem services in ensuring the synergies of food security and environmental sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104256"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142935991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How can digitalisation support transformation towards sustainable agri-food systems? Scenario development in Lower Austria","authors":"Beatrix Wepner ,&nbsp;Sabine Neuberger ,&nbsp;Marianne Hörlesberger ,&nbsp;Eva Maria Molin ,&nbsp;Jasmin Lampert ,&nbsp;Hanna Koch","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104251","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104251","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The agriculture and food system face challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, agricultural pollution, and food security. An environmentally and resource friendly development of food security is required at international and national levels. Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer opportunities to address these challenges and facilitate the transformation of agriculture and the food value chain.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This research aims to identify widely applicable measures to support digitalisation in order to promote the transformation towards sustainable agri-food systems.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>A foresight process was conducted in the case study region of Lower Austria. The process consisted of seven steps and included data collection through desk research, internal project discussions and two workshops with regional stakeholders. Scenarios were co-created with stakeholders from different sectors, including industry, policy and research.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Five scenarios were developed: “Trend towards flexibility”, “D4COOP”, “Specialisation”, “Agricultural industry” and “GIIRA (great-innovative-intensive-reactive-adaptive)”. Challenges related to the digital transformation of agriculture and corresponding measures to address these challenges were identified. The measures were summarized in the following thematic areas: (a) Technology, Research &amp; Innovation, (b) Market &amp; Business Models, (c) Financial Support, (d) Culture &amp; Social Values, (e) Networks, (f) Competencies &amp; Knowledge, (g) Infrastructure, and (h) Policy Framework.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This research contributes to the identification of probable future developments and to the elaboration of widely applicable measures by using foresight methods, which can be implemented with the respective stakeholders in the case study region of Lower Austria. Utilizing the scenario technique helps to facilitate dialogue and identify future options for action and measures fostering innovation and research in addressing emerging challenges at the regional level. The findings provide insights for tackling the challenges of complex agri-food systems in deciding which issues to prioritize for transformation, encompassing policy, finance, education, and digital skills, with digitalisation as leverage point and sustainability as a key concern.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104251"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142935988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}