Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose R. Lopez, Jonathan M. Winter, Joshua Elliott, Alex C. Ruane, Cheryl Porter, Gerrit Hoogenboom, Martha Anderson, Christopher Hain
Summary: This study integrates a gridded crop model with satellite observations, recharge estimates, and water survey data to assess the effects of sustainable groundwater withdrawals on US irrigated agricultural production. The results show that unsustainable groundwater extraction significantly impacts US irrigated agriculture, making it difficult to meet the challenges of climate change, population growth, and shifting dietary demands.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathaniel C. Lawrence, Carlos G. Tenesaca, Andy VanLoocke, Steven J. Hall
Summary: The study found variations in N2O emissions from different types of soils in the US Corn Belt, with higher emissions from soils with moderately to severely impaired drainage and lower emissions from well-drained soils. Addressing N2O emissions from wet Corn Belt soils may have greater leverage in achieving climate sustainability compared to soil carbon sequestration.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoxiao Shu, Yanqun Wang, Yaling Wang, Yang Ma, Mingxin Men, Yunpu Zheng, Cheng Xue, Zhengping Peng, Christos Noulas
Summary: The study found that reducing nitrogen fertilizer input and adding organic fertilizer can significantly decrease nitrous oxide emissions, improve nitrogen use efficiency, and increase net income in a wheat-corn rotation system. The RN40%+HOM treatment was the most effective in reducing nitrogen losses and providing the highest grain yield compared to the RN and HAN treatments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Antonio J. Mendoza-Fernandez, Araceli Pena-Fernandez, Luis Molina, Pedro A. Aguilera
Summary: Campo de Dalias in southeastern Spain is the prime example of greenhouse agriculture in Europe, leading to rapid economic development but also significant natural resource degradation, highlighting the need for sustainable agricultural intensification while preserving existing natural areas through technological advancements in greenhouses.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Armwell Shumba, Regis Chikowo, Marc Corbeels, Johan Six, Christian Thierfelder, Remi Cardinael
Summary: This study conducted in Zimbabwe examines the impact of conservation agriculture principles on greenhouse gas emissions. The results show that mulching treatments lead to higher nitrous oxide emissions at one site, while rotation treatments result in higher nitrous oxide emissions at the other site. Additionally, the study finds that nitrous oxide loss is low in low nitrogen input cropping systems.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pan Huo, Hao Li, Xunrong Huang, Xuzhe Ma, Lin Liu, Wei Ji, Yike Liu, Pengcheng Gao
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of dissolved CO2, N2O, and CH4 in groundwater used for irrigation in the Guanzhong Basin of China. The results showed that CO2 and N2O were supersaturated compared to atmospheric concentrations, and a significant portion of dissolved CO2 and N2O was immediately degassed to the atmosphere during flood irrigation. The study highlights the need for further research on optimizing irrigation strategies to mitigate GHG emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Martin L. Battaglia, Wade E. Thomason, John H. Fike, Gregory K. Evanylo, Ryan D. Stewart, Cole D. Gross, Mahmoud F. Seleiman, Emre Babur, Amir Sadeghpour, Matthew Tom Harrison
Summary: This study investigates the effects of crop residue on greenhouse gas emissions in a multi-crop system. Short-term changes in methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were measured in continuous corn and corn-wheat-soybean rotations. The results show that different crop retention rates have a significant impact on CH4 and N2O emissions, but not on CO2 fluxes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chao Pu, Jin-Sai Chen, Hao-Di Wang, Ahmad Latif Virk, Xin Zhao, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: This study assessed the effects of tillage and crop residue management practices on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the North China Plain. The results showed that no tillage reduced N2O emissions in winter wheat seasons, while crop residue retention increased N2O emissions in both winter wheat and summer maize seasons. No tillage soils also had a higher CH4 uptake in summer maize seasons. The area-scaled and yield-scaled total non-CO2 GHG emissions showed similar trends to N2O emissions. The findings suggest that no tillage practice could be a useful option for mitigating non-CO2 GHG emissions in the wheat-maize cropping system.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pengnian Wu, Yanli Wang, Yuming Li, Haolin Yu, Jing Shao, Zhiheng Zhao, Yibo Qiao, Changshuo Liu, Shuimiao Liu, Chenkai Gao, Xiaokang Guan, Pengfei Wen, Tongchao Wang
Summary: This study evaluated different irrigation strategies for a winter wheat-summer maize rotation system to identify sustainable practices for maintaining yields while reducing groundwater depletion. The results showed that an optimized irrigation strategy (I-4) significantly increased crop yield and water productivity compared to the control (R) treatment. This approach effectively reduced field water losses and maintained relatively high soil water storage, contributing to system sustainable water use.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Bo Wang, Jos van Dam, Xiaolin Yang, Coen Ritsema, Taisheng Du, Shaozhong Kang
Summary: Over-irrigation for high crop yields has caused a decline in groundwater table in the North China Plain. A scenario analysis using the SWAP model was conducted to evaluate different irrigation strategies for the winter wheat-summer maize rotation. The results showed that the T4W2M1 strategy (two irrigations for winter wheat and one irrigation for maize) was the best in mitigating groundwater table decline and maintaining grain yields and water productivity.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
I. Piccoli, B. Lazzaro, L. Furlan, A. Berti, F. Morari
Summary: Conservation agriculture is a farming system that promotes minimum soil disturbance, maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and diversification of plant species, which has been introduced in the Veneto region of north east Italy. The study found that this system did not have detrimental effects on root development and positively affected maize, soybean, and winter wheat, possibly due to increased nutrient availability. Further research on soil-specific mechanisms between soil compaction and root apparatus is warranted.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rakesh Kumar, S. Karmakar, Asisan Minz, Jitendra Singh, Abhay Kumar, Arvind Kumar
Summary: Climate change induced by enhanced global warming is a major challenge globally, with agriculture sectors significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Wheat and maize, as staple crops, play a crucial role in global food security, but their production practices can lead to significant CO2 and N2O emissions. Direct N2O emission is dependent on N fertilizer application rate, while indirect emissions are influenced by fuel and energy consumption.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Chong Wang, Jiongchao Zhao, Yupeng Feng, Mengfei Shang, Xiaozhi Bo, Zhenzhen Gao, Fu Chen, Qingquan Chu
Summary: The research found that inappropriate irrigation timing led to increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced crop yield in the wheat-maize rotation system, while excessive irrigation resulted in decreased water use efficiency. Adjusting irrigation schedules can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase crop yield, and improve water use efficiency.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yung-Chieh Wang, Yu-Hsin Lu, Li-Chi Chiang, Chia-Chuan Hsu
Summary: The demand for rice in Taiwan has decreased while the demand for wheat and maize has increased due to changes in dietary habits. The crop suitability of rice, wheat, and maize in Taiwan was evaluated using multi-criteria assessment, hierarchical analysis, and sensitivity analysis methods. The results showed that rice has moderate to high suitability all over Taiwan, especially in southwestern Taiwan. Wheat is more suitable in hill areas of central, northwestern, and southeastern Taiwan. Many agricultural lands in Taiwan are suitable for maize except for coastal areas in the western plains. The study suggests the potential for expanding the cultivation areas for wheat and maize based on agroecological conditions.
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. L. Korbel, P. Greenfield, G. C. Hose
Summary: This study examines the impact of different land uses (irrigated and non-irrigated) on groundwater microbial communities. The results show that irrigated land uses significantly affect microbial community structure and diversity within groundwaters, with lower microbial diversity in irrigated sites. Differences in community structure and function were observed between catchments and land uses, with irrigated sites having higher abundances of microbes with nitrifying capabilities. Specific taxonomic groups may be useful indicators of long-term nitrogen contamination in groundwaters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Da Pan, Ilya Gelfand, Lei Tao, Michael Abraha, Kang Sun, Xuehui Guo, Jiquan Chen, G. Philip Robertson, Mark A. Zondlo
Summary: The new laser-based open-path sensors minimize temperature-related corrections for EC flux measurements, improving accuracy. By identifying absorption lines that cancel out density and spectroscopic effects, significant reduction in corrections was achieved for gases like N2O, CO2, and CH4.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Limnology
S. K. Hamilton, C. A. Murphy, S. L. Johnson, A. Pollock
Summary: The study focuses on the temporary drawdown of Oregon reservoirs and its impact on water quality, specifically looking at the Fall Creek Reservoir. The research found that short-term drawdown did not lead to significant eutrophication, but there were concerns about sedimentation in downstream habitats. Management strategies for mitigating the impacts of reservoir drawdowns should be considered.
LAKE AND RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
G. Philip Robertson, Stephen K. Hamilton, Keith Paustian, Pete Smith
Summary: Aggressive action on multiple fronts is necessary to achieve end-of-century global warming targets. This study highlights the benefits of combining nature-based solutions and cellulosic bioenergy for addressing mitigation goals. Nature-based solutions are limited by carbon accrual duration, while bioenergy solutions carry environmental risks. The study shows that a combined approach has a greater mitigation capacity compared to prioritizing nature-based or bioenergy solutions separately.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
D. Menefee, Russell L. Scott, M. Abraha, J. G. Alfieri, J. Baker, Dawn M. Browning, Jiquan Chen, Jeff Gonet, J. M. F. Johnson, G. R. Miller, Rachel Nifong, Phil Robertson, E. S. Russell, N. Saliendra, Adam P. Schreiner-Mcgraw, A. Suyker, P. Wagle, Chris Wente, P. M. White, Doug Smith
Summary: Research from the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network shows that different crop types and management practices have varying effects on carbon fluxes, with precipitation having a significant impact on rainfed crops. Utilizing eddy covariance measurements can further carbon flux research.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Mir Zaman Hussain, Stephen K. K. Hamilton, G. Philip Robertson
Summary: This study analyzed the phosphorus (P) balance in different types of perennial bioenergy crops and found that harvest was the main pathway for P removal. Long-term harvest can decrease the P content in the soil, requiring the application of P fertilizers to sustain crop growth.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Seungdo Kim, Bruce E. E. Dale, Rafael Martinez-Feria, Bruno Basso, Kurt Thelen, Christos T. T. Maravelias, Douglas Landis, Tyler J. J. Lark, G. Philip Robertson
Summary: Using a crop growth model and life cycle assessment (LCA), we examined the global warming intensity and greenhouse gas mitigation potential of biofuel systems based on switchgrass grown on marginal land in Michigan, USA. The results showed that switchgrass grown on marginal lands in Michigan can annually produce over 0.57 hm3 of liquid biofuel, mitigating 1.2-1.5 Tg of CO2 emissions. The majority of these biofuels meet the Renewable Fuel Standard and are carbon-negative, but carbon intensities could increase on certain lands with high soil organic carbon levels.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mauricio Tejera-Nieves, Michael Abraha, Jiquan Chen, Stephen K. Hamilton, G. Philip Robertson, Berkley Walker James
Summary: Leaf photosynthesis of perennial grasses declines from early to late summer, and water availability is associated with this decline. Despite reduced water availability, the photosynthetic decline is similar in grasses with and without rainfall exclusion, suggesting water deficit is not the sole driver of the decline. Rhizome starch accumulation and sink activity likely explain the observed photosynthetic declines towards the end of the growing season.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ayan S. Fleischmann, Fabrice Papa, Stephen K. Hamilton, Alice Fassoni-Andrade, Sly Wongchuig, Jhan-Carlo Espinoza, Rodrigo C. D. Paiva, John M. Melack, Etienne Fluet-Chouinard, Leandro Castello, Rafael M. Almeida, Marie-Paule Bonnet, Luna G. Alves, Daniel Moreira, Dai Yamazaki, Menaka Revel, Walter Collischonn
Summary: Extensive floodplains in the Amazon basin have important impacts on ecosystem services and global water and carbon cycles. Recent changes in the hydroclimatic regime have caused record-breaking high water levels on the Amazon River, but the implications for floodplain inundation across the basin are still unknown.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kang Liang, Xuesong Zhang, Xin-Zhong Liang, Virginia L. Jin, Girma Birru, Marty R. Schmer, G. Philip Robertson, Gregory W. McCarty, Glenn E. Moglen
Summary: This study improved and evaluated the SWAT-C model for simulating long-term dynamics of soil inorganic nitrogen (SIN) in different cropping systems. By adding new nitrification and denitrification algorithms, the model achieved better performance in SIN simulation. The revised SWAT-C model's performance was comparable to or better than other agroecosystem models tested in previous studies. Sensitivity analysis showed that parameters controlling soil organic matter decomposition, nitrification, and denitrification were most important for SIN simulation. The improved prediction of plant-available SIN using SWAT-C can inform agroecosystem management decisions to enhance crop productivity and minimize negative environmental impacts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Mary Ann Steiner, Karen Knutson, Kevin Crowley, Nicole Heller, Bonnie Mcgill, Laurie Giarratani, Jay Russell, Taiji Nelson
Summary: This research-practice partnership aims to support climate change education in public settings. By building upon prior work and using asset-based strategies, the museum collaborated with scientists, learning researchers, and rural community members, and conducted a survey to understand the rural community's climate beliefs, interests, and understandings as a starting point for their collective design work.
MUSEUMS & SOCIAL ISSUES-A JOURNAL OF REFLECTIVE DISCOURSE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Peter M. Vitousek, Xinping Chen, Zhenling Cui, Xuejun Liu, Pamela A. Matson, Ivan Ortiz-monasterio, G. Philip Robertson, Fusuo Zhang
Summary: Increased temporal variation in precipitation due to climate change adversely affects crop yields and causes increased losses of reactive N, while also increasing the frequency of floods and droughts, making it difficult to sustain high-yielding cropping systems with minimal environmental and human-health impacts.
FRONTIERS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bonnie M. McGill, Stephanie B. Borrelle, Grace C. Wu, Kurt E. Ingeman, Jonathan Berenguer Uhuad Koch, Natchee B. Barnd
Summary: Ecologists, outdoor professionals, and the public need to recognize the colonial biases embedded in place names in national parks in the United States. Through the examination of over 2,200 place names, it was found that these names perpetuate settler colonialism and white supremacy, calling for decolonizing practices.
Article
Environmental Studies
Pietro Sciusco, Jiquan Chen, Vincenzo Giannico, Michael Abraha, Cheyenne Lei, Gabriela Shirkey, Jing Yuan, G. Philip Robertson
Summary: Land surface albedo plays a significant role in regulating climate. This study examines the changes in landscape albedo-induced global warming impact (GWI) over a 19-year period in five ecoregions within a watershed in the upper Midwest USA. The results show that land cover changes, such as deforestation, agriculture development, and urban expansion, have unique influences on shortwave radiative forcing and contribute differently to the total GWI.