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Ma Y, Hou Y, Dong P, Velthof GL, Long W, Ma L, Ma W, Jiang R, Oenema O. Cooperation between specialized livestock and crop farms can reduce environmental footprints and increase net profits in livestock production. J Environ Manage 2022; 302:113960. [PMID: 34700076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The rapid specialization of livestock production in China has contributed to spatially decoupled crop and livestock production, leading to various environmental pollution issues. Some regional agro-environmental policies have recently promoted the coupling of specialized crop and livestock farms through cooperation. However, the environmental and economic performances of such cooperation remain unclear. This study investigated multiple environmental footprints of two contrasting production systems: cooperative crop-livestock systems (CCLS) and decoupled specialized livestock systems (DSLS), using survey data of 87 ruminant farms in Northwest China. Results show that farms in CCLS had lower net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (12-29%), lower reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions (21-40%), lower phosphorus footprints (PF) (41-54%), and used less cropland (24-31%) per kg animal product, compared to those in DSLS. The large differences in GHG emissions between the two systems were mainly related to enteric fermentation and resource production (used for feed production). The differences in Nr emissions and PF were mainly related to manure management. Net profits per kg animal product were higher in CCLS (13-35%) than in DSLS, and most profits originated from lower purchasing costs of feed and young livestock. Net profits and environmental footprints were negatively correlated, suggesting an environmental and economic win-win situation for CCLS. The possible obstacles to recoupling specialized crop and livestock farms through cooperation have been discussed, including farm size, contract stability, and local policies. Our study provides science-based evidence to support policymakers and specialized farms to close nutrient loops between crop and livestock production sectors through regional cooperation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Ma
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yong Hou
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Pengbo Dong
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, PR China
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Weitong Long
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Hebei Key Laboratory of Water-Saving Agriculture, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, PR China
| | - Wenqi Ma
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, PR China
| | - Rongfeng Jiang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, PR China
| | - Oene Oenema
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, PR China; Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Soil Quality, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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van der Weerden TJ, Noble A, de Klein CAM, Hutchings N, Thorman RE, Alfaro MA, Amon B, Beltran I, Grace P, Hassouna M, Krol DJ, Leytem AB, Salazar F, Velthof GL. Ammonia and nitrous oxide emission factors for excreta deposited by livestock and land-applied manure. J Environ Qual 2021; 50:1005-1023. [PMID: 34192353 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Manure application to land and deposition of urine and dung by grazing animals are major sources of ammonia (NH3 ) and nitrous oxide (N2 O) emissions. Using data on NH3 and N2 O emissions following land-applied manures and excreta deposited during grazing, emission factors (EFs) disaggregated by climate zone were developed, and the effects of mitigation strategies were evaluated. The NH3 data represent emissions from cattle and swine manures in temperate wet climates, and the N2 O data include cattle, sheep, and swine manure emissions in temperate wet/dry and tropical wet/dry climates. The NH3 EFs for broadcast cattle solid manure and slurry were 0.03 and 0.24 kg NH3 -N kg-1 total N (TN), respectively, whereas the NH3 EF of broadcast swine slurry was 0.29. Emissions from both cattle and swine slurry were reduced between 46 and 62% with low-emissions application methods. Land application of cattle and swine manure in wet climates had EFs of 0.005 and 0.011 kg N2 O-N kg-1 TN, respectively, whereas in dry climates the EF for cattle manure was 0.0031. The N2 O EFs for cattle urine and dung in wet climates were 0.0095 and 0.002 kg N2 O-N kg-1 TN, respectively, which were three times greater than for dry climates. The N2 O EFs for sheep urine and dung in wet climates were 0.0043 and 0.0005, respectively. The use of nitrification inhibitors reduced emissions in swine manure, cattle urine/dung, and sheep urine by 45-63%. These enhanced EFs can improve national inventories; however, more data from poorly represented regions (e.g., Asia, Africa, South America) are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alasdair Noble
- AgResearch Ltd, Lincoln Research Centre, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Rachel E Thorman
- ADAS, ADAS Boxworth, Battlegate Road, Boxworth, Cambridge, CB23 4NN, United Kingdom
| | - Marta A Alfaro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), INIA Remehue, Carretera Panamericana Sur km. 8 Norte, Osorno, Chile
| | - Barbara Amon
- Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, Potsdam, D-14469, Germany
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Zielona Gra, Poland
| | - Ignacio Beltran
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), INIA Remehue, Carretera Panamericana Sur km. 8 Norte, Osorno, Chile
| | - Peter Grace
- Queensland Univ. of Technology, 2 George St, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
| | | | - Dominika J Krol
- Teagasc, Environment, Soils and Land-Use Dep., Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co., Wexford, Y35 TC97, Ireland
| | - April B Leytem
- USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Lab., Kimberly, ID 83341, USA
| | - Francisco Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), INIA Remehue, Carretera Panamericana Sur km. 8 Norte, Osorno, Chile
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen Univ. & Research, P.O. Box 47 AA, Wageningen, 6700, The Netherlands
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Beltran I, van der Weerden TJ, Alfaro MA, Amon B, de Klein CAM, Grace P, Hafner S, Hassouna M, Hutchings N, Krol DJ, Leytem AB, Noble A, Salazar F, Thorman RE, Velthof GL. DATAMAN: A global database of nitrous oxide and ammonia emission factors for excreta deposited by livestock and land-applied manure. J Environ Qual 2021; 50:513-527. [PMID: 33331653 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2 O), ammonia (NH3 ), and methane (CH4 ) emissions from the manure management chain of livestock production systems are important contributors to greenhouse gases (GHGs) and NH3 emitted by human activities. Several studies have evaluated manure-related emissions and associated key variables at regional, national, or continental scales. However, there have been few studies focusing on the drivers of these emissions using a global dataset. An international project was created (DATAMAN) to develop a global database on GHG and NH3 emissions from the manure management chain (housing, storage, and field) to identify key variables influencing emissions and ultimately to refine emission factors (EFs) for future national GHG inventories and NH3 emission reporting. This paper describes the "field" database that focuses on N2 O and NH3 EFs from land-applied manure and excreta deposited by grazing livestock. We collated relevant information (EFs, manure characteristics, soil properties, and climatic conditions) from published peer-reviewed research, conference papers, and existing databases. The database, containing 5,632 observations compiled from 184 studies, was relatively evenly split between N2 O and NH3 (56 and 44% of the EF values, respectively). The N2 O data were derived from studies conducted in 21 countries on five continents, with New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Brazil representing 86% of the data. The NH3 data originated from studies conducted in 17 countries on four continents, with the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada, and The Netherlands representing 79% of the data. Wet temperate climates represented 90% of the total database. The DATAMAN field database is available at http://www.dataman.co.nz.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Beltran
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), INIA Remehue, Carretera Panamericana Sur km. 8 Norte, Osorno, Chile
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | | | - Marta A Alfaro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), INIA Remehue, Carretera Panamericana Sur km. 8 Norte, Osorno, Chile
| | - Barbara Amon
- Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, Potsdam, D-14469, Germany
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Zielona Gra, ul. Licealna 9, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | | | - Peter Grace
- Queensland Univ. of Technology, 2 George St, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
| | - Sasha Hafner
- Aarhus Univ., Finlandsgade 12, Aarhus, 8200, Denmark
| | | | | | - Dominika J Krol
- Teagasc, Environment, Soils and Land-Use Dep., Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co., Wexford, Y35 TC97, Ireland
| | - April B Leytem
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Lab., Kimberly, ID, 83341, USA
| | - Alasdair Noble
- AgResearch, Lincoln Research Centre, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | - Francisco Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), INIA Remehue, Carretera Panamericana Sur km. 8 Norte, Osorno, Chile
| | - Rachel E Thorman
- ADAS, ADAS Boxworth, Battlegate Road, Boxworth, Cambridge, CB23 4NN, UK
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen Univ. & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Cao Y, Wang X, Liu L, Velthof GL, Misselbrook T, Bai Z, Ma L. Acidification of manure reduces gaseous emissions and nutrient losses from subsequent composting process. J Environ Manage 2020; 264:110454. [PMID: 32250891 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Manure acidification is recommended to minimize ammonia (NH3) emission at storage. However, the potential for acidification to mitigate NH3 emission from storage and the impact of manure acidification (pH range 5-8) on composting have been poorly studied. The effects of manure acidification at storage on the subsequent composting process, nutrient balance, gaseous emissions and product quality were assessed through an analysis of literature data and an experiment under controlled conditions. Results of the data mining showed that mineral acids, acidic salts and organic acids significantly reduced NH3 emission, however, a weaker effect was observed for organic acids. A subsequent composting experiment showed that using manure acidified to pH5 or pH6 as feedstock delayed organic matter degradation for 7-10 days, although pH6 had no negative effect on compost maturity. Acidification significantly decreased NH3 emission from both storage and composting, however, excessive acidification (pH5) enhanced N2O emissions (18.6%) during composting. When manure was acidified to pH6, N2O (17.6%) and CH4 (20%) emissions, and total GHG emissions expressed as global warming potential (GWP) (9.6%) were reduced during composting. Acidification of manure before composting conserved more N as NH4+ and NOx- in compost product. Compared to the control, the labile, plant-available phosphorus (P) content in the compost product, predominately as water-soluble inorganic P, increased with manure acidification to pH5 and pH6. Acidification of manure to pH6 before composting decreases nutrient losses and gaseous emissions without decreasing the quality of the compost product. The techno-economic advantages of acidification should be further ascertained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubo Cao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700, AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tom Misselbrook
- Sustainable Agricultural Sciences, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK
| | - Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China.
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Zhang X, Fang Q, Zhang T, Ma W, Velthof GL, Hou Y, Oenema O, Zhang F. Benefits and trade-offs of replacing synthetic fertilizers by animal manures in crop production in China: A meta-analysis. Glob Chang Biol 2020; 26:888-900. [PMID: 31495039 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recycling of livestock manure to agricultural land may reduce the use of synthetic fertilizer and thereby enhance the sustainability of food production. However, the effects of substitution of fertilizer by manure on crop yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and emissions of ammonia (NH3 ), nitrous oxide (N2 O) and methane (CH4 ) as function of soil and manure properties, experimental duration and application strategies have not been quantified systematically and convincingly yet. Here, we present a meta-analysis of these effects using results of 143 published studies in China. Results indicate that the partial substitution of synthetic fertilizers by manure significantly increased the yield by 6.6% and 3.3% for upland crop and paddy rice, respectively, but full substitution significantly decreased yields (by 9.6% and 4.1%). The response of crop yields to manure substitution varied with soil pH and experimental durations, with relatively large positive responses in acidic soils and long-term experiments. NUE increased significantly at a moderate ratio (<40%) of substitution. NH3 emissions were significantly lower with full substitution (62%-77%), but not with partial substitution. Emissions of CH4 from paddy rice significantly increased with substitution ratio (SR), and varied by application rates and manure types, but N2 O emissions decreased. The SR did not significantly influence N2 O emissions from upland soils, and a relative scarcity of data on certain manure characteristic was found to hamper identification of the mechanisms. We derived overall mean N2 O emission factors (EF) of 0.56% and 0.17%, as well as NH3 EFs of 11.1% and 6.5% for the manure N applied to upland and paddy soils, respectively. Our study shows that partial substitution of fertilizer by manure can increase crop yields, and decrease emissions of NH3 and N2 O, but depending on site-specific conditions. Manure addition to paddy rice soils is recommended only if abatement strategies for CH4 emissions are also implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Qunchao Fang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Tao Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Wenqi Ma
- College of Resources and Environmental Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, PR China
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yong Hou
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Oene Oenema
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Soil Quality, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
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Ma L, Bai Z, Ma W, Guo M, Jiang R, Liu J, Oenema O, Velthof GL, Whitmore AP, Crawford J, Dobermann A, Schwoob M, Zhang F. Exploring Future Food Provision Scenarios for China. Environ Sci Technol 2019; 53:1385-1393. [PMID: 30609901 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Developing sustainable food systems is essential, especially for emerging economies, where food systems are changing rapidly and affect the environment and natural resources. We explored possible future pathways for a sustainable food system in China, using multiple environmental indicators linked to eight of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Forecasts for 2030 in a business as usual scenario (BAU) indicate increases in animal food consumption as well as increased shortages of the land available and the water needed to produce the required food in China. Associated greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus losses could become 10-42% of global emissions in 2010. We developed three main pathways besides BAU [produce more and better food (PMB), consume and waste less food (CWL), and import more food (IMF)] and analyzed their impacts and contributions to achieving one or more of the eight SDGs. Under these scenarios, the demand for land and water and the emissions of GHG and nutrients may decrease by 7-55% compared to BAU, depending on the pathway followed. A combination of PMB and CWL was most effective, while IMF externalizes impacts to countries exporting to China. Modestly increasing feed or food imports in a selective manner could ease the pressure on natural resources. Our modeling framework allows us to analyze the effects of changes in food production-consumption systems in an integrated manner, and the results can be linked to the eight SDGs. Despite formidable technological, social, educational, and structural barriers that need to be overcome, our study indicates that the ambitious targets of China's new agricultural and environmental strategy appear to be achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research , Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shijiazhuang 050021 , China
| | - Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research , Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shijiazhuang 050021 , China
| | - Wenqi Ma
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences , Hebei Agricultural University , Baoding 071001 , China
| | - Mengchu Guo
- Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security , China Agricultural University , Beijing 100193 , China
| | - Rongfeng Jiang
- Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security , China Agricultural University , Beijing 100193 , China
| | - Junguo Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering , South University of Science and Technology of China , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| | - Oene Oenema
- Wageningen, Environmental Research P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen, Environmental Research P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | | | - John Crawford
- Rothamsted Research , Harpenden , Herts AL5 2JQ , U.K
| | | | - Marie Schwoob
- Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) , 41, rue du Four 75006 Paris , France
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security , China Agricultural University , Beijing 100193 , China
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Bai Z, Lu J, Zhao H, Velthof GL, Oenema O, Chadwick D, Williams JR, Jin S, Liu H, Wang M, Strokal M, Kroeze C, Hu C, Ma L. Designing Vulnerable Zones of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Transfers To Control Water Pollution in China. Environ Sci Technol 2018; 52:8987-8988. [PMID: 30059205 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research , Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road , Shijiazhuang 050021 , Hebei China
| | - Jie Lu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research , Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road , Shijiazhuang 050021 , Hebei China
| | - Hao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research , Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road , Shijiazhuang 050021 , Hebei China
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Oene Oenema
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Dave Chadwick
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography , Bangor University , Bangor , LL57 2UW , U.K
| | | | - Shuqin Jin
- Research Center for Rural Economy, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs , No. 56, Xisizhuanta Hutong , Beijing 100810 , China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control , Ministry of Agriculture/Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Mengru Wang
- Water Systems and Global Change Group , Wageningen University & Research , Droevendaalsesteeg 4 , Wageningen , 6708 PB , The Netherlands
| | - Maryna Strokal
- Water Systems and Global Change Group , Wageningen University & Research , Droevendaalsesteeg 4 , Wageningen , 6708 PB , The Netherlands
| | - Carolien Kroeze
- Water Systems and Global Change Group , Wageningen University & Research , Droevendaalsesteeg 4 , Wageningen , 6708 PB , The Netherlands
| | - Chunsheng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research , Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road , Shijiazhuang 050021 , Hebei China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research , Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road , Shijiazhuang 050021 , Hebei China
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Bai Z, Ma W, Ma L, Velthof GL, Wei Z, Havlík P, Oenema O, Lee MRF, Zhang F. China's livestock transition: Driving forces, impacts, and consequences. Sci Adv 2018; 4:eaar8534. [PMID: 30035221 PMCID: PMC6051741 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aar8534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
China's livestock industry has experienced a vast transition during the last three decades, with profound effects on domestic and global food provision, resource use, nitrogen and phosphorus losses, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the driving forces around this transition and its national and global consequences. The number of livestock units (LUs) tripled in China in less than 30 years, mainly through the growth of landless industrial livestock production systems and the increase in monogastric livestock (from 62 to 74% of total LUs). Changes were fueled through increases in demand as well as, supply of new breeds, new technology, and government support. Production of animal source protein increased 4.9 times, nitrogen use efficiency at herd level tripled, and average feed use and GHG emissions per gram protein produced decreased by a factor of 2 between 1980 and 2010. In the same period, animal feed imports have increased 49 times, total ammonia and GHG emissions to the atmosphere doubled, and nitrogen losses to watercourses tripled. As a consequence, China's livestock transition has significant global impact. Forecasts for 2050, using the Shared Socio-economic Pathways scenarios, indicate major further changes in livestock production and impacts. On the basis of these possible trajectories, we suggest an alternative transition, which should be implemented by government, processing industries, consumers, and retailers. This new transition is targeted to increase production efficiency and environmental performance at system level, with coupling of crop-livestock production, whole chain manure management, and spatial planning as major components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
- Wageningen University, Department of Soil Quality, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Wenqi Ma
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Gerard L. Velthof
- Wageningen University, Environmental Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Zhibiao Wei
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Petr Havlík
- Ecosystems Services and Management Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Oene Oenema
- Wageningen University, Department of Soil Quality, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands
- Wageningen University, Environmental Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Michael R. F. Lee
- Rothamsted Research, Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, North Wyke, Devon EX20 2SB, UK
- Bristol Veterinary School, Langford, Somerset BS40 5DU, UK
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agriculture University, Beijing 100193, China
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Bai Z, Lee MRF, Ma L, Ledgard S, Oenema O, Velthof GL, Ma W, Guo M, Zhao Z, Wei S, Li S, Liu X, Havlík P, Luo J, Hu C, Zhang F. Global environmental costs of China's thirst for milk. Glob Chang Biol 2018; 24:2198-2211. [PMID: 29417720 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
China has an ever-increasing thirst for milk, with a predicted 3.2-fold increase in demand by 2050 compared to the production level in 2010. What are the environmental implications of meeting this demand, and what is the preferred pathway? We addressed these questions by using a nexus approach, to examine the interdependencies of increasing milk consumption in China by 2050 and its global impacts, under different scenarios of domestic milk production and importation. Meeting China's milk demand in a business as usual scenario will increase global dairy-related (China and the leading milk exporting regions) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 35% (from 565 to 764 Tg CO2eq ) and land use for dairy feed production by 32% (from 84 to 111 million ha) compared to 2010, while reactive nitrogen losses from the dairy sector will increase by 48% (from 3.6 to 5.4 Tg nitrogen). Producing all additional milk in China with current technology will greatly increase animal feed import; from 1.9 to 8.5 Tg for concentrates and from 1.0 to 6.2 Tg for forage (alfalfa). In addition, it will increase domestic dairy related GHG emissions by 2.2 times compared to 2010 levels. Importing the extra milk will transfer the environmental burden from China to milk exporting countries; current dairy exporting countries may be unable to produce all additional milk due to physical limitations or environmental preferences/legislation. For example, the farmland area for cattle-feed production in New Zealand would have to increase by more than 57% (1.3 million ha) and that in Europe by more than 39% (15 million ha), while GHG emissions and nitrogen losses would increase roughly proportionally with the increase of farmland in both regions. We propose that a more sustainable dairy future will rely on high milk demanding regions (such as China) improving their domestic milk and feed production efficiencies up to the level of leading milk producing countries. This will decrease the global dairy related GHG emissions and land use by 12% (90 Tg CO2eq reduction) and 30% (34 million ha land reduction) compared to the business as usual scenario, respectively. However, this still represents an increase in total GHG emissions of 19% whereas land use will decrease by 8% when compared with 2010 levels, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael R F Lee
- Rothamsted Research, Sustainable Agriculture Science, North Wyke, UK
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, UK
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Stewart Ledgard
- AgResearch Limited, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Oene Oenema
- Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wenqi Ma
- College of Resources & Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Mengchu Guo
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanqing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Sha Wei
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China
| | - Shengli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Liu
- School of Mathematics and Science, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Petr Havlík
- Ecosystems Services and Management Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Jiafa Luo
- AgResearch Limited, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Chunsheng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China
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10
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Bai Z, Li X, Lu J, Wang X, Velthof GL, Chadwick D, Luo J, Ledgard S, Wu Z, Jin S, Oenema O, Ma L, Hu C. Livestock Housing and Manure Storage Need to Be Improved in China. Environ Sci Technol 2017; 51:8212-8214. [PMID: 28731333 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen Research, Environmental Research P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - David Chadwick
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University , Bangor, LL57 2UW, U.K
| | - Jiafa Luo
- AgResearch Limited, Ruakura Research Centre , Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Stewart Ledgard
- AgResearch Limited, Ruakura Research Centre , Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Zhiguo Wu
- University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine , 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Shuqin Jin
- Research Center for Rural Economy Ministry of Agriculture , No. 56, Xisizhuanta Hutong, Beijing 100810, China
| | - Oene Oenema
- Wageningen Research, Environmental Research P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Chunsheng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
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11
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Hou Y, Velthof GL, Lesschen JP, Staritsky IG, Oenema O. Nutrient Recovery and Emissions of Ammonia, Nitrous Oxide, and Methane from Animal Manure in Europe: Effects of Manure Treatment Technologies. Environ Sci Technol 2017; 51:375-383. [PMID: 27997150 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Animal manure contributes considerably to ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Europe. Various treatment technologies have been implemented to reduce emissions and to facilitate its use as fertilizer, but a systematic analysis of these technologies has not yet been carried out. This study presents an integrated assessment of manure treatment effects on NH3, nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions from manure management chains in all countries of EU-27 in 2010 using the MITERRA-Europe model. Effects of implementing 12 treatment technologies on emissions and nutrient recovery were further explored through scenario analyses; the level of implementation corresponded to levels currently achieved by forerunner countries. Manure treatment decreased GHG emissions from manures in EU countries by 0-17% in 2010, with the largest contribution from anaerobic digestion; the effects on NH3 emissions were small. Scenario analyses indicate that increased use of slurry acidification, thermal drying, incineration and pyrolysis may decrease NH3 (9-11%) and GHG (11-18%) emissions; nitrification-denitrification treatment decreased NH3 emissions, but increased GHG emissions. The nitrogen recovery (% of nitrogen excreted in housings that is applied to land) would increase from a mean of 57% (in 2010) to 61% by acidification, but would decrease to 48% by incineration. Promoting optimized manure treatment technologies can greatly contribute to achieving NH3 and GHG emission targets set in EU environmental policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hou
- Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, Gelderland The Netherlands
| | - Gerard L Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, Gelderland The Netherlands
| | - Jan Peter Lesschen
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, Gelderland The Netherlands
| | - Igor G Staritsky
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, Gelderland The Netherlands
| | - Oene Oenema
- Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, Gelderland The Netherlands
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, Gelderland The Netherlands
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12
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Bai Z, Ma L, Jin S, Ma W, Velthof GL, Oenema O, Liu L, Chadwick D, Zhang F. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Flows through the Manure Management Chain in China. Environ Sci Technol 2016; 50:13409-13418. [PMID: 27993054 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The largest livestock production and greatest fertilizer use in the world occurs in China. However, quantification of the nutrient flows through the manure management chain and their interactions with management-related measures is lacking. Herein, we present a detailed analysis of the nutrient flows and losses in the "feed intake-excretion-housing-storage-treatment-application" manure chain, while considering differences among livestock production systems. We estimated the environmental loss from the manure chain in 2010 to be up to 78% of the excreted nitrogen and over 50% of the excreted phosphorus and potassium. The greatest losses occurred from housing and storage stages through NH3 emissions (39% of total nitrogen losses) and direct discharge of manure into water bodies or landfill (30-73% of total nutrient losses). There are large differences among animal production systems, where the landless system has the lowest manure recycling. Scenario analyses for the year 2020 suggest that significant reductions of fertilizer use (27-100%) and nutrient losses (27-56%) can be achieved through a combination of prohibiting manure discharge, improving manure collection and storages infrastructures, and improving manure application to cropland. We recommend that current policies and subsidies targeted at the fertilizer industry should shift to reduce the costs of manure storage, transport, and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021 Hebei, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021 Hebei, China
| | - Shuqin Jin
- Research Center for Rural Economy Ministry of Agriculture , No. 56, Xisizhuanta Hutong, Beijing 100810, China
| | - Wenqi Ma
- College of Resources & Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Hebei , Baoding 071001, China
| | | | | | - Ling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences , 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021 Hebei, China
| | - David Chadwick
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University , Bangor LL57 2UW, U.K
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agriculture University , Beijing 100193, China
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13
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Velthof GL, Hou Y, Oenema O. Nitrogen excretion factors of livestock in the European Union: a review. J Sci Food Agric 2015; 95:3004-3014. [PMID: 25959675 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Livestock manures are major sources of nutrients, used for the fertilisation of cropland and grassland. Accurate estimates of the amounts of nutrients in livestock manures are required for nutrient management planning, but also for estimating nitrogen (N) budgets and emissions to the environment. Here we report on N excretion factors for a range of animal categories in policy reports by member states of the European Union (EU). Nitrogen excretion is defined in this paper as the total amount of N excreted by livestock per year as urine and faeces. We discuss the guidelines and methodologies for the estimation of N excretion factors by the EU Nitrates Directive, the OECD/Eurostat gross N balance guidebook, the EMEP/EEA Guidebook and the IPCC Guidelines. Our results show that N excretion factors for dairy cattle, other cattle, pigs, laying hens, broilers, sheep, and goats differ significantly between policy reports and between countries. Part of these differences may be related to differences in animal production (e.g. production of meat, milk and eggs), size/weight of the animals, and feed composition, but partly also to differences in the aggregation of livestock categories and estimation procedures. The methodologies and data used by member states are often not well described. There is a need for a common, harmonised methodology and procedure for the estimation of N excretion factors, to arrive at a common basis for the estimation of the production of manure N and N balances, and emissions of ammonia (NH3 ) and nitrous oxide (N2 O) across the EU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard L Velthof
- Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA, the Netherlands
| | - Yong Hou
- Soil Quality Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA, the Netherlands
| | - Oene Oenema
- Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA, the Netherlands
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14
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Hou Y, Velthof GL, Oenema O. Mitigation of ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane emissions from manure management chains: a meta-analysis and integrated assessment. Glob Chang Biol 2015; 21:1293-312. [PMID: 25330119 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Livestock manure contributes considerably to global emissions of ammonia (NH3 ) and greenhouse gases (GHG), especially methane (CH4 ) and nitrous oxide (N2 O). Various measures have been developed to mitigate these emissions, but most of these focus on one specific gas and/or emission source. Here, we present a meta-analysis and integrated assessment of the effects of mitigation measures on NH3 , CH4 and (direct and indirect) N2 O emissions from the whole manure management chain. We analysed the effects of mitigation technologies on NH3 , CH4 and N2 O emissions from individual sources statistically using results of 126 published studies. Whole-chain effects on NH3 and GHG emissions were assessed through scenario analysis. Significant NH3 reduction efficiencies were observed for (i) housing via lowering the dietary crude protein (CP) content (24-65%, compared to the reference situation), for (ii) external slurry storages via acidification (83%) and covers of straw (78%) or artificial films (98%), for (iii) solid manure storages via compaction and covering (61%, compared to composting), and for (iv) manure application through band spreading (55%, compared to surface application), incorporation (70%) and injection (80%). Acidification decreased CH4 emissions from stored slurry by 87%. Significant increases in N2 O emissions were found for straw-covered slurry storages (by two orders of magnitude) and manure injection (by 26-199%). These side-effects of straw covers and slurry injection on N2 O emission were relatively small when considering the total GHG emissions from the manure chain. Lowering the CP content of feed and acidifying slurry are strategies that consistently reduce NH3 and GHG emissions in the whole chain. Other strategies may reduce emissions of a specific gas or emissions source, by which there is a risk of unwanted trade-offs in the manure management chain. Proper farm-scale combinations of mitigation measures are important to minimize impacts of livestock production on global emissions of NH3 and GHG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hou
- Soil Quality Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands
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15
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Velthof GL, Lesschen JP, Webb J, Pietrzak S, Miatkowski Z, Pinto M, Kros J, Oenema O. The impact of the Nitrates Directive on nitrogen emissions from agriculture in the EU-27 during 2000-2008. Sci Total Environ 2014; 468-469:1225-1233. [PMID: 23731510 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Revised: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A series of environmental policies have been implemented in the European Union (EU) to decrease nitrogen (N) emissions from agriculture. The Nitrates Directive (ND) is one of the main policies; it aims to reduce nitrate leaching from agriculture through a number of measures. A study was carried out to quantify the effects of the ND in the EU-27 on the leaching and runoff of nitrate (NO3(-)) to groundwater and surface waters, and on the emissions of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) and dinitrogen (N2) to the atmosphere. We formulated a scenario with and a scenario without implementation of the ND. The model MITERRA-Europe was used to calculate N emissions on a regional level in the EU-27 for the period 2000-2008. The calculated total N loss from agriculture in the EU-27 was 13 Mton N in 2008, with 53% as N2, 22% as NO3, 21% as NH3, 3% as N2O, and 1% as NO(x). The N emissions and leaching in the EU-27 slightly decreased in the period 2000-2008. Total emissions in the EU in 2008 were smaller with implementation of the ND than without the ND, by 3% for NH3, 6% for N2O, 9% for NO(x), and 16% for N leaching and runoff in 2008. However, regional differences were large. The lower emissions with ND were mainly due to the lower N inputs by fertilizers and manures. In conclusion, implementation of the ND decreased both N leaching losses to ground and surface waters, and gaseous emissions to the atmosphere. It is expected that the ND will result in a further decrease in N emissions in EU-27 in the near future, because the implementation of the measures for the ND is expected to become more strict.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Velthof
- Alterra, part of Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Ma L, Zhang WF, Ma WQ, Velthof GL, Oenema O, Zhang FS. An analysis of developments and challenges in nutrient management in china. J Environ Qual 2013; 42:951-61. [PMID: 24216347 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2012.0459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
During the past 50 years, China has successfully realized food self-sufficiency for its rapidly growing population. Currently, it feeds 22% of the global population with 9% of the global area of arable land. However, these achievements were made at high external resource use and environmental costs. The challenge facing China is to further increase food production while drastically decreasing the environmental costs of food production. Here we review the major developments in nutrient management in China over the last 50 years. We briefly analyze the current organizational structure of the "advisory system" in agriculture, the developments in nutrient management for crop production, and the developments in nutrient management in animal production. We then discuss the nutrient management challenges for the next decades, considering nutrient management in the whole chain of crop production-animal production-food processing-food consumption by households. We argue that more coherent national policies and institutional structures are required for research extension education to be able to address the immense challenges ahead. Key actions include nutrient management in the whole food chain concomitant with a shift in objectives from food security only to food security, resource use efficiency, and environmental sustainability; improved animal waste management based on coupled animal production and crop production systems; and much greater emphasis on technology transfer from science to practice through education, training, demonstration, and extension services.
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17
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Ma L, Velthof GL, Wang FH, Qin W, Zhang WF, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Wei J, Lesschen JP, Ma WQ, Oenema O, Zhang FS. Nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies and losses in the food chain in China at regional scales in 1980 and 2005. Sci Total Environ 2012; 434:51-61. [PMID: 22542299 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2011] [Revised: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Crop and animal production in China has increased significantly during the last decades, but at the cost of large increases in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses, which contribute to ecosystem degradation and human health effects. This information is largely based on scattered field experiments, surveys and national statistics. As a consequence, there is as yet no comprehensive understanding of the changes in N and P cycling and losses at regional and national scales. Here, we present the results of an integrated assessment of the N and P use efficiencies (NUE and PUE) and N and P losses in the chain of crop and animal production, food processing and retail, and food consumption at regional scale in 1980 and 2005, using a uniform approach and databases. Our results show that the N and P costs of food production-consumption almost doubled between 1980 and 2005, but with large regional variation. The NUE and PUE of crop production decreased dramatically, while NUE and PUE in animal production increased. Interestingly, NUE and PUE of the food processing sector decreased from about 75% to 50%. Intake of N and P per capita increased, but again with large regional variation. Losses of N and P from agriculture to atmosphere and water bodies increased in most regions, especially in the east and south of the country. Highest losses were estimated for the Beijing and Tianjin metropolitan regions (North China), Pearl River Delta (South China) and Yangzi River Delta (East China). In conclusion, the changes and regional variations in NUE and PUE in the food chain of China are large and complex. Changes occurred in the whole crop and animal production, food processing and consumption chain, and were largest in the most populous areas between 1980 and 2005.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ma
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
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18
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Lesschen JP, Velthof GL, de Vries W, Kros J. Differentiation of nitrous oxide emission factors for agricultural soils. Environ Pollut 2011; 159:3215-22. [PMID: 21531058 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N(2)O) direct soil emissions from agriculture are often estimated using the default IPCC emission factor (EF) of 1%. However, a large variation in EFs exists due to differences in environment, crops and management. We developed an approach to determine N(2)O EFs that depend on N-input sources and environmental factors. The starting point of the method was a monitoring study in which an EF of 1% was found. The conditions of this experiment were set as the reference from which the effects of 16 sources of N input, three soil types, two land-use types and annual precipitation on the N(2)O EF were estimated. The derived EF inference scheme performed on average better than the default IPCC EF. The use of differentiated EFs, including different regional conditions, allows accounting for the effects of more mitigation measures and offers European countries a possibility to use a Tier 2 approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Peter Lesschen
- Alterra, Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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19
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Abstract
Increasing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs have greatly contributed to the increasing food production in China during the last decades, but have also increased N and P losses to the environment. The pathways and magnitude of these losses are not well quantified. Here, we report on N and P use efficiencies and losses at a national scale in 2005, using the model NUFER (NUtrient flows in Food chains, Environment and Resources use). Total amount of "new" N imported to the food chain was 48.8 Tg in 2005. Only 4.4.Tg reached households as food. Average N use efficiencies in crop production, animal production, and the whole food chain were 26, 11, and 9%, respectively. Most of the imported N was lost to the environment, that is, 23 Tg N to atmosphere, as ammonia (57%), nitrous oxide (2%), dinitrogen (33%), and nitrogen oxides (8%), and 20 Tg to waters. The total P input into the food chain was 7.8 Tg. The average P use efficiencies in crop production, animal production, and the whole food chain were 36, 5, and 7%, respectively. This is the first comprehensive overview of N and P balances, losses, and use efficiencies of the food chain in China. It shows that the N and P costs of food are high (for N 11 kg kg(-1), for P 13 kg kg(-1)). Key measures for lowering the N and P costs of food production are (i) increasing crop and animal production, (ii) balanced fertilization, and (iii) improved manure management.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ma
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Univ. of Hebei, Baoding 071001, China
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Velthof GL, Oudendag D, Witzke HP, Asman WAH, Klimont Z, Oenema O. Integrated assessment of nitrogen losses from agriculture in EU-27 using MITERRA-EUROPE. J Environ Qual 2009; 38:402-17. [PMID: 19202011 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2008.0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The high N inputs to agricultural systems in many regions in 27 member states of the European Union (EU-27) result in N leaching to groundwater and surface water and emissions of ammonia (NH(3)), nitrous oxide (N(2)O), nitric oxide (NO), and dinitrogen (N(2)) to the atmosphere. Measures taken to decreasing these emissions often focus at one specific pollutant, but may have both antagonistic and synergistic effects on other N emissions. The model MITERRA-EUROPE was developed to assess the effects and interactions of policies and measures in agriculture on N losses and P balances at a regional level in EU-27. MITERRA-EUROPE is partly based on the existing models CAPRI and GAINS, supplemented with a N leaching module and a module with sets of measures. Calculations for the year 2000 show that denitrification is the largest N loss pathway in European agriculture (on average 44 kg N ha(-1) agricultural land), followed by NH(3) volatilization (17 kg N ha(-1)), N leaching (16 kg N ha(-1)) and emissions of N(2)O (2 kg N ha(-1)) and NO(X) (2 kg N ha(-1)). However, losses between regions in the EU-27 vary strongly. Some of the measures implemented to abate NH(3) emission may increase N(2)O emissions and N leaching. Balanced N fertilization has the potential of creating synergistic effects by simultaneously decreasing N leaching and NH(3) and N(2)O emissions. MITERRA-EUROPE is the first model that quantitatively assesses the possible synergistic and antagonistic effects of N emission abatement measures in a uniform way in EU-27.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Velthof
- Alterra, Wageningen Univ. and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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Velthof GL, Nelemans JA, Oenema O, Kuikman PJ. Gaseous nitrogen and carbon losses from pig manure derived from different diets. J Environ Qual 2005; 34:698-706. [PMID: 15758122 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2005.0698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Manipulation of the diets of pigs may alter the composition of the manure and thereby the environmental and agricultural qualities of the manure. Laboratory studies were performed to quantify the effect of manipulation of pig diets on the chemical composition of the derived manure (slurry), the potential emission of methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) during anaerobic storage of the manure, and the potential nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission after application of the manure to soil. The diets differed in contents of crude protein and salt (CaSO4), and the type and contents of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP). Emissions of NH3 and CH4 during storage were smaller at a low than at a high dietary protein content. The emission of NH3 was significantly related to the contents of ammonium (NH4), total N, and pH. The emission of CH4 was significantly related to contents of dry matter, total C, and volatile fatty acids in the manure. The effect of manure composition on N2O emission markedly differed between the two tested soils, which points at interactions with soil properties such as the organic matter content. These types of interactions require soil-specific recommendations for mitigation of N2O emission from soil-applied pig manure by manipulation of the diet. From the tested diets, decreasing the protein content has the largest potential to simultaneously decrease NH3 and CH4 emissions during manure storage and N2O emission from soil. An integral assessment of the environmental and agricultural impact of handling and application of pig manure as a result of diet manipulation provides opportunities for farmers to maximize the value of manures as fertilizer and soil conditioner and to minimize N and C emissions to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard L Velthof
- Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands.
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Wrage N, Velthof GL, Oenema O, Laanbroek HJ. Acetylene and oxygen as inhibitors of nitrous oxide production in Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosospira briensis: a cautionary tale. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2004; 47:13-8. [DOI: 10.1016/s0168-6496(03)00220-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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