Article
Environmental Sciences
Jianqiao Zhao, Yue Cao, Le Yu
Summary: The land sparing pattern is increasing globally, especially in hotspots, while passive land sparing is decreasing due to lower food prices incentivized by increased yields. These trends reveal the global development trends of land sparing and passive land sparing.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Frederic Baudron, Bram Govaerts, Nele Verhulst, Andrew McDonald, Bruno Gerard
Summary: Increased agricultural production is a major driver of the current biodiversity crisis, with 'land sparing' and 'land sharing' being advocated as contrasting approaches to address the issue. However, these approaches have been mainly driven by conservation ecologists and often overlook important issues related to farming.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Daniel T. Pinheiro, Diego M. S. Santos, Alan R. R. Martins, Wininton M. da Silva, Claudio V. de Araujo, Daniel C. de Abreu, Aaron Kinyu Hoshide, Luana Molossi, Ronaldo A. de Oliveira
Summary: Corn grown as a second crop in Brazil contributes to sustainable land use and reduced deforestation efforts. Evaluating a variety of corn hybrids in Mato Grosso state can help identify more productive varieties. Higher corn grain yields have the potential to improve beef production efficiency and hedge against lower yields in other regions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tom Finch, Brett H. Day, Dario Massimino, John W. Redhead, Rob H. Field, Andrew Balmford, Rhys E. Green, Will J. Peach
Summary: The study found that land-sparing strategies can improve environmental outcomes compared to land-sharing scenarios, especially for bird populations and global warming potential. However, it is important to note that environmental outcomes also depend on the spatial arrangement of spared land, the types of natural or semi-natural habitat promoted on spared land, whether some lower-yield farmland is delivered alongside larger unfarmed areas, and the overall region-wide food production target.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Talita Ferreira, Cintia C. Niva, Rafaela Dudas, Rodrigo Roani, Natalia Duraes, Robelio Leandro Marchao, Samuel Wooster James, Marie L. C. Bartz, George G. Brown
Summary: This paper assesses the diversity of earthworm species in the state of Goias and the Federal District, and reports new species records. Native species are found in less disturbed areas, while exotic species are predominantly found in disturbed land.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Oliver T. Coomes, Yoshito Takasaki, Christian Abizaid
Summary: This study finds that access to floodplains reduces clearing of upland forests in the Peruvian Amazon. The results provide compelling evidence to support the idea that floodplain soils can spare upland old-growth forests from being cleared around riverine Indigenous and traditional folk communities.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Thomas Awio, Kalimuthu Senthilkumar, Christian O. Dimkpa, George William Otim-Nape, Paul C. Struik, Tjeerd Jan Stomph
Summary: Increasing productivity per unit area is crucial for meeting cereal demand in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated the contribution of recommended agronomic practices (RAP) and fertilization on closing the yield gap. Results showed that RAP and farmer-selected best practices significantly increased grain yield, while NPK fertilization further enhanced the yield. Different agronomic practices have varying effects on reducing the yield gap and need to be considered in terms of cost and fertilizer prices.
Article
Agronomy
Joao Vasco Silva, Frederic Baudron, Hambulo Ngoma, Isaiah Nyagumbo, Esau Simutowe, Kelvin Kalala, Mukwemba Habeenzu, Mtendere Mphatso, Christian Thierfelder
Summary: To increase maize production in Zambia and improve food security while avoiding cropland expansion, it is important to understand the causes behind the large maize yield gaps in smallholder farming systems. This study provides a yield gap decomposition for maize in Zambia, along with farm typology delineation, to identify the key limiting factors to maize yield gaps across different types of farms in the country. The analysis reveals that technological factors are the main cause of the large yield gaps, suggesting the need for more efficient production methods, while improving crop management practices can significantly increase current yields.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher G. Bousfield, Mike R. Massam, Ileana A. Acosta, Carlos A. Peres, David P. Edwards
Summary: Selective logging is a key driver of forest degradation in the tropics, and two competing harvest management strategies have been proposed: land sharing and land sparing logging. Research suggests that land sparing logging is more optimal for biodiversity and carbon, but in the Brazilian Amazon, land sharing logging is significantly more profitable than land sparing logging under secure land tenure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hila Segre, Yohay Carmel, Assaf Shwartz
Summary: The study utilizes a simulation model to investigate the variables shaping the trade-off between biodiversity and crop production, finding that land sparing outperformed land sharing in 62% of scenarios. The optimization was driven by costs associated with crop type, rather than landscape composition, biodiversity metrics, or taxonomic groups.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marcel Carvalho Abreu, Gustavo Bastos Lyra, Jose Francisco de Oliveira-Junior, Amaury Souza, Ivana Pobocikova, Micael de Souza Fraga, Rodolfo Cesar Real Abreu
Summary: The trade-off between conservation and agribusiness expansion in Brazil poses a constant challenge. The frequency of fires and their relationship with land use and cover were investigated in three different biomes. The findings indicate an increasing trend of fires associated with the conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jialu Xu, Jing Gao, Henrique Vinicius de Holanda, Luis F. Rodriguez, Jose Vicente Caixeta-Filho, Renhai Zhong, Hao Jiang, Haifeng Li, Zhenhong Du, Xuhui Wang, Shaowen Wang, K. C. Ting, Yibin Ying, Tao Lin
Summary: Brazil's soybean and corn production increased more than fourfold from 1980 to 2016, primarily achieved through double cropping and cropland expansion. The contribution patterns of the two strategies were spatiotemporally specific, with double cropping showing increasing impacts over land expansion to the grain boom.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Narie Rinke Dias de Souza, Tassia Lopes Junqueira, Otavio Cavalett
Summary: The study highlights the vast opportunities for bioenergy-livestock integration systems in Brazil, with significant positive techno-economic impacts and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, achieving up to 32% and 22% emissions reductions for meat and ethanol production, respectively. The expansion of BLI systems in Brazil has the potential to meet future biofuels demands by using less than 20% of the expected expansion area. Enhancements to BLI systems can be made through additional synergies such as co-digestion of sugarcane vinasse and cattle manure, integration of flex ethanol and biodiesel plants, and utilization of promising alternative industrial crops like macauba, sweet sorghum, energy cane, and short rotation eucalyptus coppice.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fernando Martins Pimenta, Allan Turini Speroto, Marcos Heil Costa, Emily Ane Dionizio
Summary: Western Bahia plays a critical role in Brazil's agricultural expansion, with strong growth in cropland area and irrigation. Land use changes are influenced by land suitability and the 2012 Brazilian Forest Code. Agricultural area could nearly double in the region, even with conservation restrictions in place.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Samuel Fernando Schwaida, Rejane Ennes Cicerelli, Tati de Almeida, Edson Eyji Sano, Carlos Henrique Pires, Ana Paula Marques Ramos
Summary: Habitat loss and natural vegetation fragmentation in the private areas of Cerrado in Brazil have led to a decline in global biodiversity, negatively impacting plant and animal species. In this study, a novel integrated approach using multicriteria analysis was introduced to identify priority areas for biodiversity conservation and environmental compensation in Cerrado. Landscape metrics were employed to observe and predict land use and land cover changes, revealing a significant loss of native vegetation in the study area. The proposed approach is important for predicting future landscape changes and supporting decision-making processes for biodiversity protection.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong, Dinko Hanaan Dinko, Rachel Bezner Kerr
Summary: This paper explores the reasons why agriculture in the floodplain of the Black Volta River remains popular despite the risks of flooding. The study finds that mining-induced land displacement forces farmers to continue farming in the floodplain, despite the increased vulnerability. Gendered responsibilities and societal norms also contribute to the persistence of floodplain agriculture. The paper examines the maladaptive outcomes of raising levees and altering fields, including increased vulnerability and destruction of common pool resources.
CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rachel Wynberg, Michel Pimbert, Nina Moeller, Georgina McAllister, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Jasber Singh, Million Belay, Mvuselelo Ngcoya
Editorial Material
Ecology
Tibor Hartel, Joern Fischer, Girma Shumi, William Apollinaire
Summary: Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is gaining attention among ecologists as it has the potential to aid in ecosystem management. However, TEK may be preserved not solely due to positive environmental values, but rather as a result of poverty and limited alternatives. We explore this dilemma and propose hypotheses for further investigation.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Brian Walker, Anne-Sophie Crepin, Magnus Nystrom, John M. M. Anderies, Erik Andersson, Thomas Elmqvist, Cibele Queiroz, Scott Barrett, Elena Bennett, Juan Camilo Cardenas, Stephen R. R. Carpenter, F. Stuart Chapin III, Aart de Zeeuw, Joern Fischer, Carl Folke, Simon Levin, Karine Nyborg, Stephen Polasky, Kathleen Segerson, Karen C. C. Seto, Marten Scheffer, Jason F. F. Shogren, Alessandro Tavoni, Jeroen van den Bergh, Elke U. U. Weber, Jeffrey R. R. Vincent
Summary: Financial advisers suggest diversifying investment portfolios to adapt to market fluctuations, and similarly, nature has diversified species to maintain ecosystem function. However, in areas such as urban planning, public health, transportation, and food production, this diversity seems overlooked. As we enter a period of unprecedented turbulence, it is important to actively design and manage response diversity. This Perspective discusses what response diversity is, how it can be expressed, enhanced, and lost, and emphasizes the need to strengthen diverse options for responding to disruptions.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Geography
Daniel Kpienbaareh, Jinfei Wang, Isaac Luginaah, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Esther Lupafya, Laifolo Dakishoni
Summary: In the context of food insecurity, agroecology has been shown to improve crop productivity and health. This study found that crops on agroecological farms had higher leaf area indexes (LAIs), indicating healthier crops. Predictive models also showed higher LAIs on agroecological farms.
PROFESSIONAL GEOGRAPHER
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Leonie Burke, Isabel Diaz-Reviriego, David P. M. Lam, Jan Hanspach
Summary: Biocultural approaches are gaining attention for their relevance to current sustainability challenges. This review explores how indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) is conceptualized and applied in the scientific literature on biocultural approaches in Spanish language publications. The study identifies multiple conceptualizations of ILK, highlights the themes of bridging diverse knowledge systems, conflicting views on the role of ILK in sustainability, and threats to ILK. The findings suggest the need for further research on power relations and context-specific dynamics in bridging different knowledge systems in order to promote the co-production of knowledge and enhance the self-determination of indigenous peoples and local communities.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sieglinde S. Snapp, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Ann Bybee-Finley, Regis Chikowo, Laifolo Dakishoni, Philip Grabowski, Esther Lupafya, Wezi Mhango, Vicki L. Morrone, Lizzie Shumba, George Kanyama-Phiri
Summary: New approaches, such as Participatory Action Research (PAR), are necessary for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PAR involves scientists and stakeholders in a systematic engagement process, expanding on the scientific process. In this study, two decades of PAR in rural communities in Malawi are examined to demonstrate iterative co-learning cycles. The findings highlight the importance of agricultural diversity beyond agroforestry, the value of intermediate growth habits, and the role of PAR in meeting local needs and addressing SDGs.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cassandra Vogel, Vera Mayer, Mwapi Mkandawire, Georg Kuestner, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Jochen Krauss, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
Summary: The conversion of woodland to farmland and subsequent management has negative impacts on biodiversity. The effects of agriculture on insect communities in tropical smallholder agricultural landscapes are understudied. The use of agroecological practices has social and agronomic benefits for smallholders, but their effects on biodiversity are missing, particularly in Africa.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cassandra Vogel, Katja Poveda, Aaron Iverson, Fabian A. A. Boetzl, Tapiwa Mkandawire, Timothy L. L. Chunga, Georg Kuestner, Alexander Keller, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
Summary: Smallholder farming in the tropics, which characterizes biodiverse landscapes, has understudied effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study in Malawi assessed the impacts of different crop types and landscape elements on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The results suggest that a tailored approach based on landscape context and smallholders' priorities is needed to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Dula Wakassa Duguma, Elizabeth Law, Girma Shumi, Patricia Rodrigues, Feyera Senbeta, Jannik Schultner, David J. Abson, Joern Fischer
Summary: The aim of this study was to model woody plant species richness in southwestern Ethiopia and predict the impact of future land-use changes on biodiversity. The results showed that scenarios focused on mining and food production would lead to significant biodiversity loss, while a scenario prioritizing gain over grain could maintain biodiversity relative to the baseline. Only the scenario combining coffee and conservation showed positive changes in biodiversity in the long term.
Article
Biology
Marina Frietsch, Jacqueline Loos, Katharina Loehr, Stefan Sieber, Joern Fischer
Summary: This Perspective piece provides potential approaches to support future ecosystem restoration projects. The challenges of social-ecological ecosystem restoration include climate change, resource overexploitation, and political instability. To prepare for these challenges, the authors synthesized restoration and social-ecological systems literature and identified three guiding themes: work with the existing system, create self-sustaining, adaptive systems, and foster diversity and participation. A two-step approach is proposed, with an example from Rwanda illustrating the application of these principles. While site-specific activities should be customized by local practitioners, this synthesis can guide forward-thinking restoration practice.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joern Fischer, Elena Bennett, Guy Pe'er
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Graeme S. Cumming, Zoe G. Davies, Joern Fischer, Reem Hajjar
Summary: This editorial examines the history of the conservation movement and acknowledges the ongoing influence of colonialism. It promotes a more inclusive and respectful approach to conservation that embraces traditional ecological knowledge and diverse conservation approaches. The article also emphasizes the need for theoretical advancements to guide conservation practices and bridge different areas of expertise to understand the interactions between society and nature.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaela Connors, Lindsay M. Jaacks, Ananya Awasthi, Karoline Becker, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Emily Fivian, Aulo Gelli, Helen Harris-Fry, Jessica Heckert, Suneetha Kadiyala, Elena Martinez, Marianne Santoso, Sera L. Young, Lilia Bliznashka
Summary: Bolstering farm-level crop diversity is crucial for strengthening food system resilience and achieving global food security. Women's empowerment plays a significant role in food production in rural areas. This study aimed to assess the associations between women's empowerment and crop diversity, and found that higher women's empowerment was associated with higher farm-level crop diversity.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jennifer Blesh, Zia Mehrabi, Hannah Wittman, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Dana James, Sidney Madsen, Olivia M. Smith, Sieglinde Snapp, Anne Elise Stratton, Mohamed Bakarr, Abram J. Bicksler, Ryan Galt, Lucas A. Garibaldi, Barbara Gemmill-Herren, Ingo Grass, Marney E. Isaac, Innocensia John, Sarah K. Jones, Christina M. Kennedy, Susanna Klassen, Christian Levers, Laura Vang Rasmussen, Claire Kremen
Summary: Farming systems that support biodiversity and diversified agricultural production are declining due to agricultural policies and market concentration. However, a conceptual framework has been developed to identify processes that promote the emergence and sustainability of diversified farming systems. Through analyzing real-world examples, two pathways, namely network and institutional, have been identified as contributing to diversification. When these pathways operate together, the potential to scale up diversification across farms and landscapes increases.