DOCSLIB.ORG

Yielding a Fruitful Harvest

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Yielding a Fruitful Harvest YIELDING A FRUITFUL HARVEST Advanced methods and analysis of regional potentials for sustainable biomass value chains interlinked with environmental and land use impacts of agricultural intensification YIELDING A FRUITFUL HARVEST Advanced methods and analysis of regional potentials for sustainable biomass value chains interlinked with environmental and land use impacts of agricultural intensification PhD dissertation Sarah Gerssen-Gondelach, November 2015 Utrecht University | Faculty of Geosciences | Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development | Energy and Resources group The research reported in this thesis was carried out in the context of the research program Knowledge Infrastructure for Sustainable Biomass, which was funded by the Dutch Ministries of ‘Economic Affairs’ and ‘Infrastructure and the Environment’. In addition, the research was partly conducted within the ILUC prevention project which was funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, the Dutch Sustainable Biomass Commission and the Rotterdam Climate Initiative / Port of Rotterdam. The case study carried out in the context of the ILUC prevention project was funded by Shell. Copyright © 2015, Sarah Gerssen-Gondelach ISBN 978-90-8672-067-5 Cover: AgileColor Lay-out: Jos Hendrix – Ridderprint BV – www.ridderprint.nl Printing: Ridderprint BV – www.ridderprint.nl YIELDING A FRUITFUL HARVEST Advanced methods and analysis of regional potentials for sustainable biomass value chains interlinked with environmental and land use impacts of agricultural intensification EEN VRUCHTBARE OOGST Geavanceerde methoden en analyse van regionale potenties voor duurzame biomassa ketens gekoppeld aan milieu- en landgebruik-effecten van landbouwintensivering (met een samenvatting in het Nederlands) Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan de Universiteit Utrecht op gezag van de rector magnificus, prof.dr. G.J. van der Zwaan, ingevolge het besluit van het college voor promoties in het openbaar te verdedigen op vrijdag 29 januari 2016 des middags te 2.30 uur door Sarah Janna Gondelach geboren op 17 oktober 1985 te Vleuten-De Meern Promotor: Prof. dr. A.P.C. Faaij Copromotor: Dr. B. Wicke TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS 11 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 13 1.1 Current and future resources for energy and materials 14 1.2 Biomass demand and potentials 14 1.3 State of the art and knowledge gaps 16 1.4 Research questions and thesis outline 20 References 23 CHAPTER 2 ASSESSMENT OF DRIVING FACTORS FOR YIELD AND 29 PRODUCTIVITY DEVELOPMENTS IN CROP AND CATTLE PRODUCTION AS KEY TO INCREASING SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS POTENTIALS Abstract 30 2.1 Introduction 31 2.2 Methods 33 2.2.1 Selection of agricultural products and producing countries 33 2.2.2 Historical developments in driving factors 34 2.2.3 Historical yield and productivity developments 34 2.2.4 Future yield projections and the role of driving factors 35 2.3 Results 36 2.3.1 Yield and productivity developments 36 2.3.2 Yield projections 46 2.4 Discussion 52 2.4.1 FAO data 52 2.4.2 Yield indicators for cattle 53 2.4.3 Yield projections and assessment of biomass potentials 54 2.5 Conclusions 55 Acknowledgements 56 References 57 Appendices 63 A2.1 Historical developments in global agricultural sector 63 A2.2 Australia 64 A2.3 Brazil 67 A2.4 China 70 A2.5 India 73 A2.6 USA 76 A2.7 Zambia 80 A2.8 Zimbabwe 83 A2.9 Additional figures and tables 85 CHAPTER 3 INTENSIFICATION PATHWAYS FOR BEEF AND DAIRY 91 CATTLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: IMPACTS ON GHG EMISSIONS, LAND OCCUPATION AND LAND USE CHANGE Abstract 92 3.1 Introduction 93 3.2 Materials and Methods 94 3.2.1 Literature review and data 94 3.2.2 Cattle production systems 95 3.2.3 Functional unit and data standardization 96 3.2.4 GHG emissions without LUC 97 3.2.5 Land occupation 98 3.2.6 LUC-related emissions 98 3.3 Results 99 3.3.1 Impact of intensification on GHG emissions without LUC 99 3.3.2 Impact of intensification on land use change and associated 106 emissions 3.4 Discussion 109 3.4.1 Data cover and data quality 109 3.4.2 LUC 111 3.5 Conclusions 112 References 114 Appendices 118 A3.1 Literature review of dairy production systems 118 A3.2 Literature review of beef production systems 128 A3.3 Extended review of various literature reviews of dairy 138 production systems A3.4 Extended review of various literature reviews of beef 144 production systems A3.5 Land use change emissions per region 149 A3.6 Livestock classification and countries and regions included in 150 literature and GLOBIOM CHAPTER 4 BIOETHANOL POTENTIAL FROM MISCANTHUS WITH 155 LOW ILUC RISK IN THE PROVINCE OF LUBLIN, POLAND Abstract 156 4.1 Introduction 157 4.2 Methods and materials 158 4.2.1 Assessment of low-ILUC-risk biofuel potential 158 4.2.2 Assessment of ILUC mitigation measures 161 4.3 Results: ILUC mitigation potentials 168 4.3.1 Above-baseline yield development 168 4.3.2 Increased food chain efficiency 169 4.3.3 Biofuel feedstock production on under-utilized lands 169 4.3.4 Land zoning 170 4.3.5 Integrated analysis 171 4.3.6 Monitoring ILUC and ILUC mitigation measures 173 4.4 Discussion and conclusions 175 4.4.1 Potential surplus land area 175 4.4.2 Legally available and suitable area 176 4.4.3 Low-ILUC-risk bioethanol potential 177 Acknowledgements 178 References 179 Appendices 183 A4.1 Characteristics of case study region 183 A4.2 Projection agricultural production 184 A4.3 Biofuel chain design and efficiencies 185 A4.4 Estimations of under-utilized land area 187 CHAPTER 5 GHG EMISSIONS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 191 OF ILUC MITIGATION Abstract 192 5.1 Intro 193 5.2 Methods 194 5.2.1 Inputs from case study ILUC mitigation 194 5.2.2 GHG emissions 195 5.2.3 Assessment of other environmental impacts 207 5.3 Results 208 5.3.1 GHG emissions 208 5.3.2 Sensitivity analysis 211 5.3.3 Qualitative assessment of other environmental impacts 212 5.4 Discussion 214 5.4.1 Projections fertilizer and pesticide use 216 5.4.2 Land use change 216 5.5 Conclusions 217 References 219 Appendix. Qualitative assessment of other environmental impacts 223 Biodiversity 223 Water 224 Soil 225 Air 226 CHAPTER 6 COMPETING USES OF BIOMASS: ASSESSMENT AND 229 COMPARISON OF THE PERFORMANCE OF BIO-BASED HEAT, POWER, FUELS AND MATERIALS Abstract 230 6.1 Introduction 231 6.2 Methodology 232 6.2.1 Cost data standardization 233 6.2.2 Avoided GHG emissions and GHG abatement costs 234 6.2.3 Sensitivity analysis 234 6.3 Chain description 235 6.3.1 Feedstocks 236 6.3.2 Biomass logistics 236 6.3.3 Biomass pretreatment technologies 237 6.3.4 Biomass conversion technologies 238 6.4 Cost and emission data 253 6.4.1 Feedstock yields 253 6.4.2 Feedstock production costs 253 6.4.3 Pre-treatment and transportation costs 259 6.4.4 Biomass conversion costs 259 6.4.5 GHG emissions 273 6.4.6 Synthesis: selection of value chains 277 6.5 Results 281 6.5.1 Levelized costs 281 6.5.2 Avoided emissions 284 6.5.3 GHG abatement costs 287 6.5.4 Sensitivity analysis 289 6.6 Discussion 291 6.6.1 Data availability and quality 292 6.6.2 Technological learning 293 6.6.3 (I)LUC 293 6.6.4 Allocation of costs and emissions 294 6.6.5 Fossil energy price in bioenergy costs 294 6.7 Conclusions 294 Acknowledgments 297 Supplementary Material 297 References 298 CHAPTER 7 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 307 7.1 Research context 309 7.1.1 Aim and research questions 310 7.2 Summary of the results 311 7.3 Main findings and conclusions 316 7.4 Recommendations for further research and policy 330 Further research 330 Policy 332 References 334 SAMENVATTING EN CONCLUSIES 337 Context 339 Doel en onderzoeksvragen 340 Hoofdbevindingen en conclusies 341 Aanbevelingen voor toekomstig onderzoek en voor beleidsmakers 356 Toekomstig onderzoek 356 Beleid 358 Referenties 360 DANKWOORD 365 CURRICULUM VITAE 369 PUBLICATIONS 371 Abbreviations AD Anaerobic digestion LULUC Land use and land use change BTX Benzene, toluene, and xylenes LW Live weight BC Biochemical MIRAGE-BioF Modeling International BFM Bone-free meat Relationships in Applied General CBP Consolidated Bioprocessing Equilibrium for Biofuel CC Combined cycle MSW Munical solid waste CFB Circulating fluidized bed MTBE Methyl tertiary butyl ether CHP Combined heat and power MTO Methanol-to-olefins CI Conventional intensification NG Natural gas CW Carcass weight equivalent NGCC Natural gas combined cycle DG Directorate General (European NGGT Natural gas-gas turbine Commission) NOP Natural oil polyol DDGS Dried distillers grain soluble NREAP National Renewable Energy DLUC Direct Land Use Change Action Plan ECH Epichlorohydrin; NUE Nutrient use efficiency ETE Ethanol-to-ethylene O&M Operation and maintenance EU European Union ORC Organic Rankine Cycle FAME Fatty acid methyl ester PA Polyamide FAO UN Food and Agricultural PBR Photobioreactor Organisation PBT Polybutylene terephthalate FMD Foot-and-Mouth Disease PC Pulverized coal FPCM Fat and protein corrected milk PDO 1,3-propanediol equivalent PE Polyethylene FT Fischer-Tropsch PET Polyethylene terephtalate GAEZ Global Agro-Ecological Zones PFP Partial factor productivity GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and PHA Polyhydroxyalkanoates Trade PLA Polylactide GHG Greenhouse Gas PP Polypropylene GLOBIOM Global Biosphere Management PS Polystyrene Model PTT Polytrimethylene terephtalate GT Gas turbine PUR Polyurethanes GWP Global warming potential PVC Polyvinylchloride HHV Higher Heating Value RED Renewable Energy Directive (EU) HTU Hydrothermal upgrading R&D Research & Development ICE Internal combustion engine SC Steam cycle IGCC Integrated gasification
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Forty-Eighth Breeding Bird Census
    HABITAT STUDIES Forty-eighth Breeding Bird Census Edited by Willet T. and Aldeen C. Van Velzen HISYEAR, 127 Breeding Bird Cen- age size of censusblocks was 12.6 hec- List of Participants suseswere submitted, representing tares, with a range of from 2.6 to 64.8. Fred Abbott, R. Carroll Abbott, David thirty-one states and provinces, with The numberof pairscensused per square L. Alles, David A. Anderson, Ken An- Pennsylvania(26), California (10), and kilometerranged from 36 to 3213, and derson, Robert A. Askins, Harriette Colorado(10) having the highestnum- averaged574. The total numberof spe- Barker. Leon L. Barkman, Frederick M. bers. Of the censuses listed here, 32 ciesfound per censusranged from three Baumgartner,Seth Benz, Michael Bet- (25.2%) are new, and the longest-stand- to 48, averaging21.1. dine, Kris Billing, Dale E. Birkenholz, ing censuswas that of A. H. Claugus,of The datacompiled in the censuseslist- Shirley A. Briggs, J. Bristow, N. Bris- Licking County, Ohio (CensusNo. 70), ed in thetable below are being stored in a tow, Allison Brady, DorothyBroemsen, now in its 46th year. computerat the Laboratoryof Ornithol- ElizabethW. Brooks, Brooks Bird Club, A total of 168 observers.spending ogy at Cornell University. Requestsfor Lori Bross, J. Brotherton, Norman L. 4125 hours in the field, censused 1611.3 information on how to obtain these data Brunswig,A. R. Buckelew,Kyle Bush, hectares (3981.5 acres). The highest shouldbe directedto: GregoryS. Butch- DeborahByers, Victoria J. Byre, Antho- numberof hoursspent on any onecensus er, CooperativeResearch Program, Cor- ny C. Caprio, EugeneA. Cardiff, Hart- was 390, althoughapparently this total nell Laboratoryof Ornithology,159 Sap- sell Cash, E.
    [Show full text]
  • Interaction Between Cultivation and Livestock Production in Semi-Arid
    13 The Interaction Between Cultivation and Livestock Production in Senmi-Arid Africa R.L. McCowN, G. HAVAAND, and C. DE HAAN 13.1 Introduction Although the majority of people in semi-arid Africa sustain themselves primarily by growing crops, this means of production is not pri:uticed by all, nor is it the sole means practiced by the majority. Because of inadequate rainfall and high evaporation rates, average crop yields are low, and the risk of crop failure Traditionally the inhabitants of is high. these regions have relied on domestic grazing animals to supplemenr their food supply. The ultimate degree of this embodied in pure pastoralism: dependence is however, semi-arid Afica has a wide variation, both in the nature and range of the degree of economic dependency on livestock. From the title of this chapter, the reader might reasonably expect a survey of current importance of livestock the in the agricut,iral regions of semi-arid Africa. even if we had the African experience But and relevant literatuie at our command attempt such a survey, it is to unlikely that this would be the most useful contribution. Instead, an attempt sort of is made to isolate the different types relationship or linkage that of characterize the interaction between cultivation livestock production and to consider and the conditions under which each linkage be expected to occur. Eight can cases from summer rainfall, semi-arid zones (Fig. 13.1) are described which of Africa demonstrate various configurations of existing production systems, linkages in together with the conditions under which developed. Finally, the trends they have in the forms of linkages from an evolutionary standpoint are considered.
    [Show full text]
  • This Is Not a Festival. Transhumance-Based Economies on Turkey’S Upland Pastures Nicolas Elias
    This is not a Festival. Transhumance-Based Economies on Turkey’s Upland Pastures Nicolas Elias To cite this version: Nicolas Elias. This is not a Festival. Transhumance-Based Economies on Turkey’s Upland Pastures. Nomadic Peoples, Berghahn Journals, 2016, 20 (2), pp.265-286. 10.3197/np.2016.200206. hal- 03177162 HAL Id: hal-03177162 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03177162 Submitted on 14 Jun 2021 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. THIS IS NOT A FESTIVAL. TRANSHUMANCE-BASED ECONOMIES ON TURKEY'S UPLAND PASTURES Nicolas Elias (Translated by Saskia Brown) ABSTRACT This article sets out to study how an instituted practice of pastoral societies has evolved under the industrialised, capitalist Turkey of the last decade. In the Pontic Mountains, in north-eastern Turkey, the celebrations that take place every summer on the upland pastures are some of the most eagerly-awaited events. Until recently they were related to pastoralism and transhumance. But, although pastoralism has collapsed, the number and popularity of these events is growing yearly. When the ethnographic study of the most famous of them (Kadirga) is related to recent social transformations in Turkey (migration, development of the culture industry, urbanisation, etc.), it becomes clear how such celebrations are instrumentalised by the new political economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Role of Livestock on Mixed Smallholder Farms in the Ethiopian Highlands
    ROLE OF LIVESTOCK ON MIXED SMALLHOLDER FARMS IN THE ETHIOPIAN HIGHLANDS A Case Study from the Baso and Worena Wereda near Debre Berhan Guido Gryseels icó l) \-bob-bo PROMOTORS: Dr. D. Zwart, Hoogleraar in de Tropische Veehouderij Dr. F.P.Jansen , Hoogleraar in de Agrarische Ontwikkelingseconomie, in het bijzonder de economische aspecten BIBLIOTHEEK jiANDBOUWUNIVERSITEÎt ^AGENINGEN Guido Gryseels ROLE OF LIVESTOCK ON MIXED SMALLHOLDER FARMS IN THE ETHIOPIAN HIGHLANDS A Case Study from the Baso and Worena Wereda near Debre Berhan Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor in de landbouwwetenschappen, op gezag van de rector magnificus, dr. H.C. Van der Plas, in het openbaar te verdedigen op woensdag 28 september 1988 des namiddags te vier uur in de aula van de Landbouwuniversiteit te Wageningen ;sw.v2>o£>3o Gryseels, Guido. 1988. Role of Livestock on Mixed Smallholder Farms in the Ethiopian Highlands. A Case Study from the Baso and Worena Wereda near Debre Berhan. Dissertation, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. *JooJ^of/ '2^ STELLINGEN 1. Inth emixe d farming systemo f theEthiopia nhighlands ,farmer s allocate their resourcesefficiently .Change s inth ewa y these farmers manage their farmswil l thereforeno t raise farm productivity significantly.Ne wtechnology ,o rexterna l inputsar enecessar y for a substantial increase insmallholde r agricultural production. 2.A strategy for livestock development on smallholder farmsi nth e Ethiopianhighland s should give firstpriorit y toth e intermediate functionso f livestock,
    [Show full text]
  • Multipurpose Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands
    For Educators, Gardeners, Farmers, Foresters, and Landscapers Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands “Well-researched, concise, user-friendly...an invaluable practical resource for those working to conserve and expand the use of trees in agricultural systems.” —APANews, The Asia-Pacific Agroforestry Newsletter FAO Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand “A significant contribution to public education, advancing the cause of integrated agriculture and forestry...a resource of lasting value.” —The Permaculture Activist, North Carolina “A most excellent handbook...a wonderful resource.” —Developing Countries Farm Radio Network, Toronto, Canada “Eloquently makes a case for reintroducing and emphasizing trees in our island agriculture.” —Dr. Bill Raynor, Program Director, The Nature Conservancy, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia “Provides a real clearinghouse on traditional and modern agroforestry not only for Pacific Islands, also very useful for other regions.” —ILEIA Newsletter for Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture, The Netherlands Purchase the book at http://www.agroforestry.net/afg/ Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands edited by Craig R. Elevitch and Kim M. Wilkinson Price: $24.95 (plus shipping) Availability: Usually ships within one business day. Paperback - 240 pages, illustrated and fully indexed Release date: September, 2000 ISBN: 0970254407 Publisher: Permanent Agriculture Resources, P.O. Box 428, Holualoa, HI, 96725, USA. Tel: 808-324-4427, Fax: 808-324-4129, email: [email protected] Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands #2 Multipurpose Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands by Randolph R. Thaman, Craig R. Elevitch, and Kim M. Wilkinson www.agroforestry.net Multipurpose Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands Abstract: The protection and planting of trees in agroforestry systems can serve as an important, locally achievable, and cost-effective step in sustainable development in the Pacific Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Sierra Nevada Ecosystems in the Presence of Livestock
    Sierra Nevada Ecosystems in the Presence of Livestock A report to the Pacific Southwest Station and Region USDA Forest Service Rangeland Science Team Barbara Allen-Diaz, UC Berkeley, Chair Reginald Barrett, UC Berkeley William Frost, UC Cooperative Extension Lynn Huntsinger, UC Berkeley Ken Tate, UC Cooperative Extension March 22, 1999 Executive Summary This document was prepared by a group of scientists with expertise in California rangeland ecosystems. The group was asked to critically review the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project (SNEP 1996), Forest Service Sierra Nevada Science Team (SNST 1998) report, and other literature in order to provide an assessment of the current science base for addressing rangeland issues in the Sierra Nevada. The Range Science Team (RST) prepared a draft report in 5 weeks as requested, which was reviewed by scientists, managers, users, and other interested publics. This final report adds to the literature base provided by SNEP and incorporates many of the reviewer comments. This report stops short of synthesizing the vast amount of peer-reviewed and gray literature concerning the response of Sierra Nevada ecosystems in the presence of livestock. We believe that this synthesis is the most important next step, and we are committed to such an effort. However, we intend to enlist additional expertise to the team and devote the time such an effort requires in order to make a credible, sound, and useful synthesis for managers. Our effort does point out the deficiencies in current knowledge of ecosystem response to livestock. To paraphrase a recent article by Hamilton (1997), human understanding of a phenomenon, such as ecosystem response to grazing, improves by building on the work of the past.
    [Show full text]
  • Changing Times and Changing Ways
    CHANGING TIMES AND CHANGING WAYS: LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, POLITICAL ECOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE NIGER RIVER INLAND DELTA OF CENTRAL MALI by TODD CRANE (Under the direction of Robert Rhoades) ABSTRACT Ethnopedology, the study of local knowledge of soils, is moving beyond descriptive soil typologies to include knowledge of ecological processes of soil management and land tenure customs, as well as historical and political factors that influence land management. The Marka and the Fulani ethnicities have both inhabited central Mali for centuries, but they have occupied distinct subsistence niches: the Marka as farmers and the Fulani as cattle herders. Despite living in the same region, Marka and Fulani maintain distinct cognitive models of the environment and their places in it. Although their soil nomenclatural systems both use consistency and color as primary and secondary markers respectively, their actual classifications vary. This variation is explained by their different historical subsistence strategies. In recent decades, the Marka and the Fulani subsistence strategies have begun to converge into agropastoralism. Although their economic behaviors have become more similar, their ideologies about land management and their perspectives on land-use conflicts continue to be at odds. This is attributed to the maintenance of ethnic identities that are closely linked to subsistence behaviors, especially for the Fulani. Ideologies linking specific subsistence strategies with ethnic identity can affect decision-making and political positioning even when actors do not have a direct material interest in that particular subsistence strategy. Consequently, exertions and counter-exertions of power between farmers and herders, at the individual, local and national levels, reflect competition over control of land resources by user-groups with ethnically linked land-use interests.
    [Show full text]
  • Estimating the Basis Risk of Rainfall Index Insurance for Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage
    Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 44(1):179–193 ISSN 1068-5502 Copyright 2019 Western Agricultural Economics Association Estimating the Basis Risk of Rainfall Index Insurance for Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Jisang Yu, Monte Vandeveer, Jerry D. Volesky, and Keith Harmoney Using historical yield and rainfall data from three university-managed ranches in Kansas and Nebraska, we measure basis risk of Rainfall Index Insurance for Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF-RI). We investigate the relationship between forage yield and monthly precipitation and estimate the relationship between forage yield and PRF-RI indices. Finally, we estimate basis risk of PRF-RI. Our estimates suggest that using actual site-level precipitation values would reduce basis risk by only 5%–9%, indicating that basis risk stems mostly from nonprecipitation factors. Using more flexible contract forms with site-level precipitation would have little impact on decreasing the degree of basis risk. Key words: Elastic net penalty, PRF-RI program Introduction The availability of index insurance products has expanded globally in the last few decades in both developed and developing countries (Miranda and Farrin, 2012; Smith and Glauber, 2012). Compared to traditional insurance products, index insurance costs less to implement since it has lower costs from information asymmetry problems (Barnett and Mahul, 2007), which can be minimized if farms and insurers have similar information about the indices used in index insurance. Index insurance products are particularly useful when gathering historical individual data would be difficult or expensive. In an environment of expensive data collection, index insurance based on easily observable data such as rainfall or satellite indices offers an alternative to conventional, individual-based insurance (Jensen and Barrett, 2016; Barnett and Mahul, 2007).
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Impacts from Livestock Production with Different Animal Welfare Potentials – a Literature Review
    SIK report 844 Environmental impacts from livestock production with different animal welfare potentials – a literature review Christel Cederberg Maria Berglund Jenny Gustavsson Magdalena Wallman 2012 SIK SIK report 844 Environmental impacts from livestock production with different animal welfare potentials – a literature review Christel Cederberg Maria Berglund Jenny Gustavsson Magdalena Wallman 2012 ISBN: 978-91-7290-314-2 SIK SUMMARY There is a rising awareness of the many negative environmental impacts related to the rapidly growing global production and consumption of animal products, such as land degradation, biodiversity losses, emissions of nutrients (most importantly nitrogen and phosphorus) and greenhouse gases. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and, more recently, Carbon Footprinting (CF), have become the major methods to assess the environmental performance of livestock production, and today there is access to relatively sophisticated and standardised methods for Carbon Footprinting. Results from LCA/CF research and consultancy work are used in the industry, by policy makers and also, recently, by consumers. Animal welfare is not included in current LCA or CF analyses of food production systems. The lack of data on animal welfare which is comparable with environmental LCA data means that there can be inadequate knowledge of how sustainable animal production systems can and should develop. This knowledge gap is the background for this study which was commissioned by Compassion in World Farming (CIWF). Method This study is based on a thorough literature review of scientific reports on the environmental impacts of milk, meat and egg production. The reports reviewed were mainly LCA and CF studies. Peer reviewed papers and recent, high quality reports that compare and present results from differing production systems were examined in more detail.
    [Show full text]
  • Agriculture and Conservation in the Hills and Uplands
    AGRICULTUREAND CONSERVATION IN THEHILLS AND UPLANDS INSTITUTEof TERRESTRIALECOLOGY NATURALENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL á Natural Environment Research Council Agriculture and conservation in the hills and uplands ITE symposium no. 23 Edited by M BELL and R GH BUNCE ITE, Merlewood Research Station INSTITUTE OF TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Printed in Great Britain by Galliard (Printers) Ltd, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NERC Copyright 1987 Published in 1987 by Institute of Terrestrial Ecology Merlewood Research Station GRANGE-OVER-SANDS Cumbria LA11 6JU BRITISHLIBRARY CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Agriculture and conservation in the hills and uplands (ITE symposium, ISSN 0263-8614: no. 23) 1. Nature conservation - Great Britain 3. Landscape conservation - Great Britain I. Bell, M II. Bunce, R G H III. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. V. Series 333. 76160941 OH77. G7 ISBN 1 870393 03 1 COVER ILLUSTRATION North Pennine Dales Environmentally Sensitive Area, a landscape created by farming, retaining semi-natural vegetation and hay meadows whereon traditional management practices are crucial to the maintenance of floral diversity. New national and European Commission grants can assist conservation and the small farm structure which underpins the area. It is no longer tenable to consider farm, conservation or rural social policies in isolation (Photograph R Scott) The Institute of Terrestrial Ecologywas established in 1973. from the former Nature Conservancy's research stations and staff, joined later by the Institute of the Tree Biology and Culture Centre of Algae and Protozoa. ITE contributes to. and draws upon, the collective knowledge of the 14 sister institutes which make up the Natural Environment Research Council, spanning all the environmental sciences. The Institute studies the factors determining the structure, composition and processes of land and freshwater systems, and of individual plant and animal species.
    [Show full text]
  • 1St European Symposium on Livestock Farming in Mountain Areas
    Bozen-Bolzano 2018 1st European Symposium on Livestock Farming in Mountain Areas Book of Abstracts 20.-22.06.2018 a cooperation of Freie Universität Bozen-Bolzano, EURAC Research, EAAP, Università degli studi di Padua and FIBL Switzerland 0 1st European Symposium on Livestock Farming in Mountain Areas 20.-22. June 2018 Welcome to the “1st European Symposium on Livestock Farming in Mountain Areas” 2018! Livestock farms located in mountain areas around the globe are very diverse and individual enterprises. They differ for example in size, species, breeds, equipment, mechanization, product processing, social structure and farmers’ personality. Moreover, the legal framework that farms are operating in might differ between countries as well. Nonetheless, many mountain farms face similar challenges independent of geographical location. Such challenges include harsh climate, steepness of lands, high altitudes, isolation of farms or wildlife interactions – to name only a few. With our Symposium, we want to introduce a platform where scientists working in various environments and disciplines related to mountain livestock farming can present and discuss their work, interact with a diversified audience and exchange ideas. Discovering similarities as well as differences, and learning from each other are the main aims of our meeting. Therefore, within the three days of the Symposium there are times for scientific talks as well as for personal interactions and exchange of experiences between participants to stimulate discussions. We are happy to host this Symposium in Bozen-Bolzano. There are many people who have contributed to the organization of this event. Without their help, the organization would not have been feasible – we are grateful for all the support we received.
    [Show full text]
  • BD2304 Scoping Study to Assess Soil Compaction Affecting Upland and Lowland Grassland in England and Wales
    BD2304 Scoping study to assess soil compaction affecting upland and lowland grassland in England and Wales APPENDICES TO SID5 The appendices give more detail about each part of the project and include all relevant references at the end of each section. APPENDIX 1 Mapping the extent of soil compaction (Work Package 1) APPENDIX 2 The causes of soil compaction (Work Package 2a) APPENDIX 3 The impacts of soil compaction (Work Package 2b) APPENDIX 4 Conflicts and synergies within existing and potential ES options, between objectives relating to soil compaction and its remediation and other scheme objectives (Work Package 3) APPENDIX 5 Responses received at the Stakeholder workshop (Work Package 5) APPENDIX 6 Glossary of terms Appendix to SID5 1 Soil compaction in England and Wales January 2008 APPENDIX3:Impacts of soil compaction 3.4 Impact of soil compaction on grassland systems on water resources and flood risk 3.4.1 Background Livestock numbers have generally risen over the past century. Between 1866 and 1980, the number of cattle increased threefold to 13,426,000, but this number declined to 10,345,000 in 2002. In 1922, 75% of UK cattle were in England & Wales, 15% in Scotland and 10% in N. Ireland. Little change took place in the 1930s and World War II. Cattle have become relatively less important in England & Wales since the mid 1950s (as land was more suitable for profitable crop production) while in Scotland and Northern Ireland the opposite has occurred. Sheep and lamb numbers rose rapidly in the 1980s (a 60% increase above 1960 levels).
    [Show full text]