Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Anna Herzog, Christoph Winckler, Stefan Hoertenhuber, Werner Zollitsch
Summary: Improving the health and welfare of dairy cows can reduce the environmental impacts of milk production. Implementing mechanical ventilation devices to mitigate heat stress can help decrease the contribution of milk production to global warming and terrestrial acidification, but the impact on freshwater eutrophication is not significant.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
S. O. Brugger, M. Schwikowski, E. Gobet, C. Schwoerer, C. Rohr, M. Sigl, S. Henne, C. Pfister, T. M. Jenk, P. D. Henne, W. Tinner
Summary: Information about past ecosystem dynamics and human activities is stored in the ice of Colle Gnifetti glacier in the Swiss Alps. Before 1750 CE, forests and fallow land rapidly replaced crop cultivation during historically documented societal crises caused by climate shifts and epidemics. Subsequently, with technology and the introduction of more resilient crops, European societies adapted to the Little Ice Age cold period, but resource overexploitation and industrialization led to new regional to global-scale environmental challenges.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca Finger-Higgens
Summary: Due to rising air temperatures and autumn rains, some Arctic lakes are drying, leading to permafrost thawing and water drainage.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gal Hochman, Hainan Zhang, Lili Xia, Alan Robock, Aleti Saketh, Dominique Y. van der Mensbrugghe, Jonas Jagermeyr
Summary: This study examines the impact of a nuclear war on global food availability, emphasizing the importance of economic models and biophysical drivers. It finds that trade instability amplifies the negative effects of land productivity shocks on food availability. Additionally, high-latitude regions would experience significant adverse effects on farmers' ability to substitute inputs and products due to climate disruptions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zhaohai Bai, Ling Liu, Michael Obersteiner, Aline Mosnier, Xinping Chen, Zengwei Yuan, Lin Ma
Summary: This study uses global trade matrices to analyze the phosphorus (P) productivity in crop and livestock products in 200 countries from 1961 to 2019. It reveals that the trade of agricultural products has increased global P productivity, but it also poses risks of wasteful use of P resources due to trade imbalances.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julia von Goenner, Diana E. Bowler, Jonas Groening, Anna-Katharina Klauer, Matthias Liess, Lilian Neuer, Aletta Bonn
Summary: The majority of central European streams are in poor ecological condition due to pesticide inputs from terrestrial habitats, which threaten sensitive insects in streams. Standardized stream monitoring data and societal support are necessary to conserve and restore freshwater habitats. Citizen science (CS) has the potential to complement international freshwater monitoring, although data accuracy concerns exist.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Henrik B. Moller, Peter Sorensen, Jorgen E. Olesen, Soren O. Petersen, Tavs Nyord, Sven G. Sommer
Summary: Anaerobic digestion can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock manure and produce biogas as a substitute for fossil energy. Different scenarios show reductions in GHG emissions ranging from 65 to 105 kg CO2-eq ton(-1) biomass.
News Item
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Helge C. Dorfmueller
Summary: New biochemical and structural studies on the capsule biosynthesis pathway of Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) offer crucial insights into a unique, basket-shaped multi-modular enzymatic machinery, facilitating the accelerated development of fermentation-free production methods for Hib glycoconjugate vaccine.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiali Cheng, Zhan Xu, Zhengyuan Liang, Fan Li, Wen-Feng Cong, Chaochun Zhang, Lei Song, Chong Wang, Fusuo Zhang, Andries Richter, Wopke van der Werf, Jeroen C. J. Groot
Summary: This study surveyed the perceived level of agroecosystem (dis)services supply and changes in the North China Plain. The results indicate that provisioning services are high, while regulating and supporting ecosystem services are low. The variations in perception between villages emphasize the importance of contextualized policy development for managing ecosystem (dis)services.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Kuok Ho Daniel Tang
Summary: The detection of microplastics in agricultural soils in China has raised concerns due to their potential impacts on agricultural production. This review provides a summary of the abundance, sources, and impacts of microplastics in the country's agricultural soils, as well as sustainable agronomic practices to mitigate their pollution. The study found that microplastics were present in varying amounts, with the highest concentration observed in Yunnan Province. Plastic mulching films were identified as the major source of microplastics in agricultural soils, followed by abandoned greenhouses and the use of organic fertilizers containing microplastics. The presence of microplastics in soils was found to alter soil properties and affect soil biota, as well as impact crop growth and nutrient demands. Sustainable solutions proposed include the use of organic mulches, proper decommissioning of abandoned greenhouses, and setting standards for allowable microplastics contents in fertilizers and irrigation water.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Zhihui Zhang, Samane Ghazali, Astrida Miceikiene, Dejan Zejak, Shahla Choobchian, Marcin Pietrzykowski, Hossein Azadi
Summary: Land use change is a significant factor in economic development, particularly the conversion of agricultural land in developing countries. This study examined the socio-economic impacts of widespread agricultural land conversion across four continents. The findings highlighted the importance of considering spatial and temporal impacts, with America and Asia having the greatest influence. It is recommended to conduct detailed investigations, assess the value of agricultural land, monitor unauthorized conversions, and impose penalties to ensure sustainable development.
Article
Development Studies
Marije Schaafsma, Ilda Dreoni, Lacour Mody Ayompe, Benis Egoh, Dewa Putu Ekayana, Arilson Favareto, Sonny Mumbunan, Louise Nakagawa, Jonas Ngouhouo-poufoun, Marieke Sassen, Thiago Kanashiro Uehara, Zoe Matthews
Summary: In this study, a conceptual framework is developed to understand the impact of agricultural trade on multidimensional wellbeing and equity. The framework guides the analysis of the local social impacts of global value chains by identifying core concepts and organizing the complexity, and is supported by evidence from studies on soy, coffee, cocoa, and palm oil trade.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Biology
Stephanie Coakley, Carloalberto Petti
Summary: This paper discusses the highly problematic invasive species, Himalayan balsam, and further explains the potential negative impacts on ecosystems and economies that biological invasions can cause. Insights gained from studying invasive species can provide valuable contributions to conservation efforts in addressing issues like biological invasion and climate change. Impacts of studying Impatiens glandulifera and its influence on invaded ecosystems will be examined in this study.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diogo Rodrigues, Andre Fonseca, Oiliam Stolarski, Teresa R. Freitas, Nathalie Guimaraes, Joao A. Santos, Helder Fraga
Summary: The increasing gap between water demands and availability poses a significant challenge for sustainable water management. In the Coa region of Portugal, agriculture is vital for the local economy but is also threatened by climate change. This study evaluates the potential impact of climate change on streamflow in the Coa River.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cicero Z. de Lima, Jonathan R. Buzan, Frances C. Moore, Uris Lantz C. Baldos, Matthew Huber, Thomas W. Hertel
Summary: The study examines the impacts of global warming on agricultural labor force and crop yields, finding that at +3 degrees Celsius warming, the impacts on staple crops and labor are equally significant, with labor impacts especially pronounced in vulnerable regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Ke Liu, Matthew Tom Harrison, Ahmed Ibrahim, S. M. Nuruzzaman Manik, Peter Johnson, Xiaohai Tian, Holger Meinke, Meixue Zhou
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Val Snow, Daniel Rodriguez, Robyn Dynes, William Kaye-Blake, Thilak Mallawaarachchi, Sue Zydenbos, Lei Cong, Irena Obadovic, Rob Agnew, Nicole Amery, Lindsay Bell, Cristy Benson, Peter Clinton, M. Fernanda Dreccer, Andrew Dunningham, Madeleine Gleeson, Matthew Harrison, Alice Hayward, Dean Holzworth, Paul Johnstone, Holger Meinke, Neena Mitter, Amin Mugera, David Pannell, Luis F. P. Silva, Eugeni Roura, Prince Siddharth, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, David Stevens
Summary: The impacts of COVID-19 control measures on the agricultural sectors in Australia and New Zealand have been relatively small due to the high levels of resilience in the agricultural systems and the people running them. Different subsystems within the agri-food systems compensated for each other, contributing to the overall resilience of the industries.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Jonathan J. Ojeda, Ehsan Eyshi Rezaei, Tomas A. Remenyi, Heidi A. Webber, Stefan Siebert, Holger Meinke, Mathew A. Webb, Bahareh Kamali, Rebecca M. B. Harris, Darren B. Kidd, Caroline L. Mohammed, John McPhee, Jose Capuano, Frank Ewert
Summary: This study investigates the impact of input and output data aggregation on simulated potato yield and irrigation water requirement in Tasmania, Australia. Water-driven factors, such as plant available water capacity, rainfall, and irrigation, were found to have a significant effect on crop yield. The study suggests that considering the data aggregation method is important for minimizing errors and improving the quality of agricultural advice and decisions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ke Liu, Matthew Tom Harrison, Sotirios Archontoulis, Neil Huth, Rui Yang, De Li Liu, Haoliang Yan, Holger Meinke, Isaiah Huber, Puyu Feng, Ahmed Ibrahim, Yunbo Zhang, Xiaohai Tian, Meixue Zhou
Summary: The study found that climate change will reduce waterlogging stress and advance the optimal flowering period. However, substantial yield reduction may still occur due to increased high temperature stress. It is recommended to plant waterlogging tolerant genotypes and sow earlier to mitigate yield losses.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Jonathan J. Ojeda, Ehsan Eyshi Rezaei, Bahareh Kamali, John McPhee, Holger Meinke, Stefan Siebert, Mathew A. Webb, Iffat Ara, Frank Mulcahy, Frank Ewert
Summary: This study used a crop model to simulate potato yields, finding that irrigation had a significant impact on simulated yields, especially under different planting dates. There was a correlation between soil type and yield variance, with high PAWC soils being mainly affected by global solar radiation, while irrigation strategy became more important as PAWC values decreased.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
J. Chang-Fung-Martel, M. T. Harrison, J. N. Brown, R. Rawnsley, A. P. Smith, H. Meinke
Summary: Changes in frequency and severity of heat waves due to climate change pose challenges to livestock production systems, with heat stress affecting feed intake in cattle. Research shows that for every unit increase in THI, DMI decreases by 0.45 kg/day, with effects varying across genotypes and climatic conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dianfan Zhou, Holger Meinke, Matthew Wilson, Leo F. M. Marcelis, Ep Heuvelink
Summary: This study evaluates the sustainability of tomato production in four greenhouse systems, finding that high-tech systems show potential for positive contributions towards some SDGs but have high energy use; low-tech systems perform better in terms of energy use; soil-based cultivation systems face issues with low water use efficiency and high nutrient losses; organic cultivation systems have relatively high water and land use.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haoliang Yan, Matthew Tom Harrison, Ke Liu, Bin Wang, Puyu Feng, Shah Fahad, Holger Meinke, Rui Yang, De Li Liu, Sotirios Archontoulis, Isaiah Huber, Xiaohai Tian, Jianguo Man, Yunbo Zhang, Meixue Zhou
Summary: Climate change in central China will impact agricultural production through extreme climatic events, but breeding climate-resilient wheat genotypes can help mitigate these effects. By optimizing crop traits and management practices, higher yields and adaptation to future climates can be achieved.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Rui Yang, Panhong Dai, Bin Wang, Tao Jin, Ke Liu, Shah Fahad, Matthew Tom Harrison, Jianguo Man, Jiandong Shang, Holger Meinke, Deli Liu, Xiaoyan Wang, Yunbo Zhang, Meixue Zhou, Yingbing Tian, Haoliang Yan
Summary: Global warming and altered precipitation patterns pose a serious threat to crop production in the North China Plain. This study evaluated the effects of heat and frost stress on sensitive phenological stages of wheat and found that future yield projections may be overestimated. Clustering of drought stress patterns revealed potential alleviation of moderate drought stress in the future but similar frequency of severe drought stress.
Article
Agronomy
Ke Liu, Matthew Tom Harrison, Bin Wang, Rui Yang, Haoliang Yan, Juan Zou, De Li Liu, Holger Meinke, Xiaohai Tian, Shangyu Ma, Yunbo Zhang, Jianguo Man, Xiaoyan Wang, Meixue Zhou
Summary: The rotation of rice and wheat in southern China's double-cropping systems is facing challenges due to climate change. Later sowing reduces radiation interception, thermal accumulation, and rainfall during the growing season, leading to shorter crop duration and decreased yields. Genotypes with higher radiation use efficiency, longer juvenile phases, and greater grain filling rates are more adaptable to delayed sowing.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Chemical
Riccardo Accorsi, Rajeev Bhat, Holger Meinke, Silvia Tappi
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
James Cock, Steven Prager, Holger Meinke, Ruben Echeverria
Summary: The article points out that the labor productivity gap between the Global South and North in agriculture is greater than the yield gap. Neglecting the labor productivity gap could lead to poverty among South farmers and increased dependence on imported food. It is suggested that policies should focus on enhancing labor productivity while also addressing yield to meet the food demand and prosperity in rural areas.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Francisco Meza, Rebecca Darbyshire, Aidan Farrell, Alan Lakso, James Lawson, Holger Meinke, Gerald Nelson, Claudio Stockle
Summary: Temperate perennial fruit and nut trees are important for food diversity, but they are sensitive to seasonal temperatures. This study examines the effects of future temperature changes on five temperate tree fruit crops and identifies potential new suitable regions. The results show a significant restructuring of global production for these crops.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ke Liu, Matthew Tom Harrison, Haoliang Yan, De Li Liu, Holger Meinke, Gerrit Hoogenboom, Bin Wang, Bin Peng, Kaiyu Guan, Jonas Jaegermeyr, Enli Wang, Feng Zhang, Xiaogang Yin, Sotirios Archontoulis, Lixiao Nie, Ana Badea, Jianguo Man, Daniel Wallach, Jin Zhao, Ana Borrego Benjumea, Shah Fahad, Xiaohai Tian, Weilu Wang, Fulu Tao, Zhao Zhang, Reimund Roetter, Youlu Yuan, Min Zhu, Panhong Dai, Jiangwen Nie, Yadong Yang, Yunbo Zhang, Meixue Zhou
Summary: Extreme weather events pose a threat to food security, especially due to crop waterlogging, but there is a lack of global assessments on its impacts. This study develops a paradigm that identifies common stress patterns caused by waterlogging and uses a farming systems model to understand future changes. The findings suggest that yield penalties caused by waterlogging will increase in the future, but adaptations such as altering sowing time and using waterlogging-tolerant genotypes can help mitigate the losses.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Tianxiao Chen, Sergey Shabala, Yanan Niu, Zhong-Hua Chen, Lana Shabala, Holger Meinke, Gayatri Venkataraman, Ashwani Pareek, Jianlong Xu, Meixue Zhou
Summary: Salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting plant growth, particularly in rice production. Despite extensive studies on salt tolerance in rice, progress in breeding for increased salinity tolerance has been limited. Future research should focus on comprehensive functional analysis and utilizing diverse genetic resources, including wild rice relatives, to improve salt tolerance traits in elite rice germplasm.
