scholarly journals What is sustainable agriculture?

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
Leslie Firbank
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Water Quantity ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
The Many

We all want to eat food that is produced sustainably. But it's not at all clear what that means in practice. Fundamentally, agriculture can be regarded as sustainable if it can continue to meet human needs whilst avoiding irreversible harm to the planet. The human needs are not just food, but include employment, leisure, social cohesion and the many ecosystem services provided by agricultural land that benefit people, including regulating water quantity and quality, carbon storage, maintaining landscapes of cultural and spiritual value, and providing homes for wildlife. Agriculture causes harm to the planet from habitat loss, carbon emissions, and pollution of air and water. Meeting these challenges is tough now, but it will only become more difficult as the human population rises and climate change becomes more difficult to cope with.

scholarly journals Assessing the Opportunity Cost of Carbon Stock Caused by Land-Use Changes in Taiwan

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1240
Author(s):  
Ming-Yun Chu ◽  
Wan-Yu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Opportunity Cost ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Market Price ◽  
The Government

As compared with conventional approaches for reducing carbon emissions, the strategies of reducing emissions from deforestations and forest degradation (REDD) can greatly reduce costs. Hence, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change regards the REDD strategies as a crucial approach to mitigate climate change. To respond to climate change, Taiwan passed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act to control the emissions of greenhouse gases. In 2021, the Taiwan government has announced that it will achieve the carbon neutrality target by 2050. Accordingly, starting with focusing on the carbon sink, the REDD strategies have been considered a recognized and feasible strategy in Taiwan. This study analyzed the net present value and carbon storage for various land-use types to estimate the carbon stock and opportunity cost of land-use changes. When the change of agricultural land to artificial forests generated carbon stock, the opportunity cost of carbon stock was negative. Contrarily, restoring artificial forests (which refer to a kind of forest that is formed through artificial planting, cultivation, and conservation) to agricultural land would generate carbon emissions, but create additional income. Since the opportunity cost of carbon storage needs to be lower than the carbon market price so that landlords have incentives to conduct REDD+, the outcomes of this study can provide a reference for the government to set an appropriate subsidy or price for carbon sinks. It is suggested that the government should offer sufficient incentives to reforest collapsed land, and implement interventions, promote carbon trading policies, or regulate the development of agricultural land so as to maintain artificial broadleaf forests for increased carbon storage.

scholarly journals Evaluating incentive-based programs to support forest ecosystem services

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM NIKOLAKIS ◽  
JOHN L. INNES
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
South America ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Forest Ecosystem Services

Forests are the most widespread terrestrial ecosystem on Earth. In 2015, natural forests accounted for 93% (3.7 billion ha) of this global forest area (FAO 2016), albeit only 26% of these are primary forest (i.e. old-growth or ancient woodland). Since 1990, 31 million ha of primary forest have been modified or cleared, and a net loss of 129 million ha of natural forest has occurred (–0.13%/year) (FAO 2016). This deforestation has largely been in tropical South America and Africa, where forests have been cleared and converted for agricultural uses, resulting in habitat loss and carbon emissions.

scholarly journals Assessment of impacts of agricultural and climate change scenarios on watershed water quantity and quality, and crop production

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Awoke D. Teshager ◽  
Philip W. Gassman ◽  
Justin T. Schoof ◽  
Silvia Secchi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Water Quantity ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Water Quantity And Quality

Abstract. Modeling impacts of agricultural scenarios and climate change on surface water quantity and quality provides useful information for planning effective water, environmental, and land use policies. Despite the significant impacts of agriculture on water quantity and quality, limited literature exists that describes the combined impacts of agricultural land use change and climate change on future bioenergy crop yields and watershed hydrology. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) eco-hydrological model was used to model the combined impacts of five agricultural land use change scenarios and three downscaled climate pathways (representative concentration pathways, RCPs) that were created from an ensemble of eight atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs). These scenarios were implemented in a well calibrated SWAT model for the Raccoon River watershed (RRW) located in western Iowa. The scenarios were executed for the historical baseline, early-century, mid-century, and late-century periods. The results indicate that historical and more corn intensive agricultural scenarios with higher CO2 emissions consistently result in more water in the streams and greater water quality problems, especially late in the 21st century. Planting more switchgrass, on the other hand, results in less water in the streams and water quality improvements relative to the baseline. For all given agricultural landscapes simulated, all flow, sediment and nutrient outputs increase from early-to-late century periods for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios. We also find that corn and switchgrass yields are negatively impacted under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios in the mid and late 21st century.

scholarly journals The role of interactions in a world implementing adaptation and mitigation solutions to climate change

2011 ◽  
Vol 369 (1934) ◽  
pp. 217-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Warren
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Global Mean Temperature ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Single Region ◽  
Integrated Assessments

The papers in this volume discuss projections of climate change impacts upon humans and ecosystems under a global mean temperature rise of 4°C above preindustrial levels. Like most studies, they are mainly single-sector or single-region-based assessments. Even the multi-sector or multi-region approaches generally consider impacts in sectors and regions independently, ignoring interactions. Extreme weather and adaptation processes are often poorly represented and losses of ecosystem services induced by climate change or human adaptation are generally omitted. This paper addresses this gap by reviewing some potential interactions in a 4°C world, and also makes a comparison with a 2°C world. In a 4°C world, major shifts in agricultural land use and increased drought are projected, and an increased human population might increasingly be concentrated in areas remaining wet enough for economic prosperity. Ecosystem services that enable prosperity would be declining, with carbon cycle feedbacks and fire causing forest losses. There is an urgent need for integrated assessments considering the synergy of impacts and limits to adaptation in multiple sectors and regions in a 4°C world. By contrast, a 2°C world is projected to experience about one-half of the climate change impacts, with concomitantly smaller challenges for adaptation. Ecosystem services, including the carbon sink provided by the Earth’s forests, would be expected to be largely preserved, with much less potential for interaction processes to increase challenges to adaptation. However, demands for land and water for biofuel cropping could reduce the availability of these resources for agricultural and natural systems. Hence, a whole system approach to mitigation and adaptation, considering interactions, potential human and species migration, allocation of land and water resources and ecosystem services, will be important in either a 2°C or a 4°C world.

scholarly journals Extinction in Eden: identifying the role of climate change in the decline of the koala in south-eastern NSW

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Lunney ◽  
Eleanor Stalenberg ◽  
Truly Santika ◽  
Jonathan R. Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Community Survey ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Change Temperature

Context Reviews of climate change in Australia have identified that it is imposing additional stresses on biodiversity, which is already under threat from multiple human impacts. Aims The present study aimed to determine the contributions of several factors to the demise of the koala in the Eden region in south-eastern New South Wales and, in particular, to establish to what extent climate change may have exacerbated the decline. Methods The study built on several community-based koala surveys in the Eden region since 1986, verified through interviews with survey respondents. Historical records as far back as the late 19th century, wildlife databases and field-based surveys were used to independently validate the community survey data and form a reliable picture of changes in the Eden koala population. Analysis of the community survey data used a logistic model to assess the contribution of known threats to koalas, including habitat loss measured as changes in foliage projective cover, fire, increases in the human population and climate change in the form of changes in temperature and rainfall, to the regional decline of this species. Key results We found a marked, long-term shrinkage in the distribution of the koala across the Eden region. Our modelling demonstrated that a succession of multiple threats to koalas from land use (human population growth and habitat loss) and environmental change (temperature increase and drought) were significant contributors to this decline. Conclusions Climate change, particularly drought and rising temperatures, has been a hitherto hidden factor that has been a major driver of the decline of the koala in the Eden region. Implications Development of strategies to help fauna adapt to the changing climate is of paramount importance, particularly at a local scale.

scholarly journals Habitat restoration opportunities, climatic niche contraction, and conservation biogeography in California's San Joaquin Desert

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph AE Stewart ◽  
H Scott Butterfield ◽  
Jonathan Q Richmond ◽  
David J Germano ◽  
Michael F Westphal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Endangered Species ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Habitat Protection ◽  
Exotic Grasses ◽  
Threatened And Endangered Species ◽  
The Impact

A recent global trend toward retirement of farmland presents opportunities to reclaim habitat for threatened and endangered species. We examine habitat restoration opportunities in one of the world’s most converted landscapes, California’s San Joaquin Desert (SJD). Despite the presence of 35 threatened and endangered species, agricultural expansion continues to drive habitat loss in the SJD, even as marginal farmland is retired. Over the next decades a combination of factors, including salinization, climate change, and historical groundwater overdraft, are projected to lead to the retirement of more than 2,000 km2 of farmland in the SJD. To promote strategic habitat protection and restoration, we conducted a quantitative assessment of habitat loss and fragmentation, habitat suitability, climatic niche stability, climate change impacts, habitat protection, and reintroduction opportunities for an umbrella species of the SJD, the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila). We use our suitability models, in conjunction with modern and historical land use maps, to estimate the historical and modern rate of habitat loss to development. The estimated amount of habitat lost since the species became protected under endangered species law in 1967 is greater than the total amount of habitat currently protected through public ownership and conservation easement. We document climatic niche contraction and associated range contraction away from the more mesic margins of the species’ historical distribution, driven by the anthropogenic introduction of exotic grasses and forbs. The impact of exotic species on G. sila range dynamics appears to be still unfolding. Finally, we use NASA fallowed area maps to identify 610 km2 of fallowed or retired agricultural land with high potential to again serve as habitat. We discuss conservation strategies in light of the potential for habitat restoration and multiple drivers of ongoing and historical habitat loss.

scholarly journals Memoir and Farming Structures under Soil-Less Culture (Hydroponic Farming) and the Applicability for Africa: A Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret S. Gumisiriza ◽  
Patrick A. Ndakidemi ◽  
Ernest R. Mbega
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Working Population ◽  
Address Climate Change

Agriculture is the economic back-borne of majority of developing countries worldwide. The sector employs over 50% of the working population and contributes about 33% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in majority of African states. However, such contribution by the agricultural sector is likely to be affected by climate change, increasing human population and urbanization which impact on available agricultural land in various ways. There is thus an urgent need for developing countries to create or adopt technologies such as; soil-less farming that will not only address climate change challenges but also enhance crop production for improved food security. This paper reviews the science, origin, dynamics and farming systems under the soil-less agriculture precisely hydroponic farming to assist in widening the scope of knowledge of the hydroponic technologies and their implementation in Africa.

scholarly journals Climatic niche contraction, habitat restoration opportunities, and conservation biogeography in California's San Joaquin Desert

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph AE Stewart ◽  
H Scott Butterfield ◽  
Jonathan Q Richmond ◽  
David J Germano ◽  
Michael F Westphal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Endangered Species ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Vulnerable Species ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Exotic Grasses ◽  
Threatened And Endangered Species

Aim: Habitat loss has been the greatest historical driver of species extinctions. A recent global trend toward retirement of marginally productive agricultural lands presents opportunities to reclaim critical habitat for endangered species. We examine habitat restoration opportunities in the context of historical sources of habitat loss, including agriculture, development, habitat fragmentation, and invasive-species-mediated climatic niche contraction. Location: California’s San Joaquin Desert (SJD) is one of the world’s most agriculturally productive landscapes. Fragments of remnant habitat serve as habitat for 34 threatened and endangered species. Retirement of agricultural land in the SJD is being driven by climate change, groundwater salinization, and historical groundwater overdraft—even as unmitigated loss of virgin habitat continues. Methods: To promote efficient habitat protection and restoration, we conducted a quantitative assessment of habitat suitability, habitat loss, climatic niche stability, projected effects of climate change, and reintroduction opportunities for an umbrella species, the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila). Results: Analyses indicate that G. sila habitat overlaps with occurrence records for 128 vulnerable species and that its habitat is broadly representative of the habitat of other vulnerable species in the SJD. We document an apparent climatic niche contraction for G. sila and associated range contraction away from more mesic margins of the historical distribution, apparently driven by introduction of exotic grasses and forbs. We use habitat suitability models, in conjunction with modern and historical land use maps, to estimate historical and modern rate of habitat loss to development and fragmentation. We use NASA fallowed area maps to identify 610 km2 of fallowed or retired agricultural land with high potential to be restored as habitat. We discuss conservation strategies in light of anticipated climate change and potential for habitat restoration. Main Conclusions: In the midst of multiple sources of historical and ongoing habitat loss, farmland retirement presents an opportunity to recover large amounts of endangered species habitat.

scholarly journals Pengukuran Variabilitas Co2 dan Analisis Dampak Perubahan Iklim (Studi Kasus: Semarang)

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (02) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
R Gernowo ◽  
A Kusworo ◽  
Z Arifin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Change Analysis ◽  
Climate Change Analysis ◽  
The Many ◽  
Variability Data

<span>The increasing emission of CO<span>2 <span>in the air has led to the need to measure the gas content on a <span>regular basis. The gas accumulates slowly in the layers of Earth's atmosphere. However, this <span>need is constrained by a number of issues that later affect the accuracy of the mapping which <span>includes the continuously circulating gas in the atmosphere. Researchers suspect that the <span>amount of CO<span>2 <span>and other gases is getting higher due to the many additional human produced <span>carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. In this study climate change analysis was <span>conducted in Semarang. The study looks deeper in the CO<span>2 <span>variability data from reference<br /><span>studies and performs analysis of climate data from rainfall and CO<span>2 <span>measurement data of <span>Semarang.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

scholarly journals Pastoralists – Farmers’ Conflicts in Jigawa State Nigeria: Causes, Repercussions and Solutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (06) ◽  
pp. 20339-20354
Author(s):  
M. Babagana ◽  
Zakar. Yakubu ◽  
Hamidan Bello Harris ◽  
Abdulaziz Hussaini
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
User Groups

dimensions of most conflicts involving man since time immemorial. Of all resources, however, land has remained an overwhelming source of conflicts among various user groups as well as individuals at varying thresholds. In particular, conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in the use of agricultural land are becoming fiercer and increasingly widespread in Nigeria, largely due to ‘intensification and extensification’ of production activities that are necessitated by increasing human population (Gefu and Kolawole 2005; Fasona and Omojola 2005 cited in Adisa and Adekunle, 2010). The vital role of agriculture in the development of conflicts between pastoralists and farmers have been noted as an example of Low Intensity Conflict emanating from environmental degradation, resource scarcity, demographic and climate change (Shettima and Tar, 2008).

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