Article
Energy & Fuels
Miriam Tena, Luz S. Buller, William G. Sganzerla, Mauro Berni, Tania Forster-Carneiro, Rosario Solera, Montserrat Perez
Summary: This study evaluated the techno-economic potential of bioenergy production from the anaerobic digestion of vinasse and stillage, showing that methane, electricity, and thermal energy could be generated in Scenario 3. The energy output could mitigate CO2 emissions and the profitability analysis indicated positive results, especially for the integrated process.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Risper Nyairo, Tomoko Hasegawa, Shinichiro Fujimori, Wenchao Wu, Kiyoshi Takahashi
Summary: This paper analyzes the impacts of urban area extension and land conservation on bioenergy supply potential using an integrated assessment model. It finds that while the global effects are small, the impacts vary in different regions and urbanization becomes important for some regions. The study suggests promoting compact urbanization, regional planning, and energy conservation policies to mitigate the loss of bioenergy potential.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
G. Harik, Ibrahim Alameddine, R. Zurayk, M. El-Fadel
Summary: A spatio-temporal Agent Based Modeling (ABM) framework is developed to probabilistically predict farmers' decisions concerning their future farming practices when faced with potential water scarcity induced by future climate change. The proposed framework forecasts farmers' behavior assuming varying utility functions and successfully captures the actions and interactions between farmers and their environment. Including social factors in the model significantly improves the accuracy of predicting farmers' decisions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
David Quiroz, Jonah M. Greene, Braden J. Limb, Jason C. Quinn
Summary: This study uses validated biophysical and sustainability modeling to identify the optimal global productivity potential, environmental impacts, and economic viability of algal biofuels.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
G. Harik, R. Zurayk, I. Alameddine, M. El Fadel
Summary: This study examines the decision-making processes of farmers when faced with the impacts of climate change and water scarcity. By developing quantitative and qualitative models, the study captures the main drivers behind their decisions. The results show that probabilistic and mental models have common determinants but differ in weight assigned to each. The comparative assessment reveals a high similarity between mental and probabilistic models with minor differences in agricultural and bare lands. Therefore, the use of both models provides a more realistic representation of farmers' decision-making processes and the impact of their decisions on land use projections in the context of socio-political stressors exacerbated by climate change.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Flannery Dolan, Jonathan Lamontagne, Katherine Calvin, Abigail Snyder, Kanishka B. Narayan, Alan V. Di Vittorio, Chris R. Vernon
Summary: Land scarcity is increasing over time, and its impacts on the economy and environment are complex and varied. This study uses a comprehensive model to simulate different scenarios of increased land demand from biofuels and decreased land supply from conservation. The findings show that while biofuel consumption and land conservation can reduce carbon emissions, they also lead to higher food prices, reduced crop production, and increased water withdrawals. The impacts vary across different regions, highlighting the importance of multisector modeling frameworks and acknowledging uncertainties when analyzing land scarcity impacts.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Tao Liu, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Shivpal Verma, Shiyi Qin, Sanjeev Kumar Awasthi, Huimin Liu, Yuwen Zhou, Zengqiang Zhang
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the impact of Cornstalk on greenhouse gas emissions and bacterial diversity during composting, finding that adding Cornstalk reduced emissions of N2O, CH4, and NH3 while increasing CO2 emissions. The amendment also affected the mineralization of carbon and nitrogen, with potential for efficient recycling of immature manure.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Felicia Olofsson, Maria Ernfors
Summary: Establishing a cover crop after harvest can bring various benefits, such as weed control and reduced nitrate leaching. However, the addition of fresh plant material in late autumn or winter may increase nitrous oxide emissions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Beena Patel, Akash Patel, Bakhtiyar Alam Syed, Bharat Gami, Pankaj Patel
Summary: The study on cultivating high biomass yielding varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, and bamboo in farmers' fields in Gujarat state, India, demonstrated that these crops can provide significant economic benefits, especially bamboo which showed the highest gross profit.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fernando Saragosa Rossi, Newton La Scala Jr, Guilherme Fernando Capristo-Silva, Joao Lucas Della-Silva, Larissa Pereira Ribeiro Teodoro, Gabriel Almeida, Auana Vicente Tiago, Paulo Eduardo Teodoro, Carlos Antonio da Silva Junior
Summary: The emission of soil CO2 in agricultural areas is influenced by climate, soil, and land management practices. This study evaluated the temporal variability of soil CO2 emissions and its relationship with various variables in different land uses. The results showed significant effects of these variables, with lower emissions in September and October and higher emissions in productive pastures and soybean production areas in October and November. There were positive correlations between soil CO2 emissions and GPP, LAI, EVI, and soil moisture, while negative correlations were found between soil CO2 emissions and soil temperature and CO2 flux model values.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paul Atagamen Aidonojie, Kingsley Eghonghon Ukhurebor, Idemudia Edetalehn Oaihimire, Blessed Frederick Ngonso, Peter Eshioke Egielewa, Bamikole Olaleye Akinsehinde, Heri Septya Kusuma, Handoko Darmokoesoemo
Summary: The challenges of climate change/global warming are concerning and have become the focus of attention in global environmental research. The development of bioenergy as a renewable energy source that utilizes recycled waste materials can help mitigate this issue. This study concludes that sustainable bioenergy development is environmentally friendly and a better way to recycle waste into energy products for sustainable development. It recommends the adoption of environmental policies within local laws and the global environment to adhere to international legal frameworks for waste prevention and reduction. The possible correlation with Sustainable Development Goals is also highlighted.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Peter Kettlewell, Richard Byrne, Simon Jeffery
Summary: Wheat is a crucial crop for global food security, however, boosting wheat yield on current cropping areas may not be enough to meet future global food demands. Climate warming has allowed wheat to be cultivated in previously uncultivated areas at higher latitudes. However, growing wheat in these regions presents several challenges, including the release of greenhouse gases. It is crucial to conduct research and develop wheat production techniques that minimize environmental damage in high latitude areas.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Josefin Winberg, Henrik G. Smith, Johan Ekroos
Summary: The Paris agreement on climate change requires rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and bioenergy is seen as an important strategy in replacing fossil fuels. However, the use of biomass for energy has sparked controversy over its impact on climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. This review provides an overview of the impacts of bioenergy crop production on ecosystems in temperate climates, highlighting the importance of factors such as land use, crop type, and scale of production in determining the effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ee Ling Ng, Joel Honeysett, Yvonne Scorgie
Summary: This study presents spatial inventories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from food production in New South Wales, Australia, at the local government area level. Livestock emissions dominate most regional areas, and policy and community action at the local level can help mitigate these emissions.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco J. Cervantes, Luis A. Ramirez-Montoya
Summary: This review discusses the strategies and effects of immobilizing nanomaterials in environmental applications, and presents the challenges and future research topics for optimizing their application.
Editorial Material
Soil Science
Vincent Chaplot, Pete Smith
Summary: Soil organic matter (SOM), storing carbon (C) and essential plant nutrients in the soil for thousands of years, has been recognized by scientists for its positive impact on vital environmental functions like food production and climate regulation. However, when virgin land (forests or grasslands) is converted to agriculture, the soil tends to lose its SOM, and the lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms has led to inappropriate interventions to combat soil, climate, and ecosystem deterioration.
Article
Soil Science
Amaresh Kumar Nayak, Rahul Tripathi, Manish Debnath, Chinmaya Kumar Swain, Biswaranjan Dhal, Shanmugam Vijaykumar, Anshuman Debasis Nayak, Sangita Mohanty, Mohammad Shahid, Anjani Kumar, Manoj Rajak, Khitish Chandra Moharana, Dibyendu Chatterjee, Susmita Munda, Pravat Guru, Rubina Khanam, Banwari Lal, Priyanka Gautam, Suschismita Pattanaik, Arvind Kumar Shukla, Nuala Fitton, Pete Smith, Himanshu Pathak
Summary: Scarcity of water and emission of greenhouse gases are the two key environmental issues affecting crop production in India. Reducing the carbon footprint and water footprint of crop production can help to mitigate the environmental hazards that stem from GHG emissions and water scarcity.
Letter
Soil Science
Andong Cai, Tianfu Han, Tianjing Ren, Jonathan Sanderman, Yichao Rui, Bin Wang, Pete Smith, Minggang Xu, Yu'e Li
Article
Geography, Physical
Chaojun Li, Pete Smith, Xiaoyong Bai, Qiu Tan, Guangjie Luo, Qin Li, Jinfeng Wang, Luhua Wu, Fei Chen, Yuanhong Deng, Zeyin Hu, Yujie Yang, Shiqi Tian, Qian Lu, Huipeng Xi, Chen Ran, Sirui Zhang
Summary: The chemical weathering of silicate rocks contributes to the global carbon cycle through the production of bicarbonate and carbonate minerals. This study quantifies the effects of carbonate minerals and exogenous acids on the carbon fluxes from the chemical weathering of granite and basalt, using a compilation of hydro-chemistry samples and hydro-meteorological datasets. The results highlight the importance of carbonate minerals and exogenous acids in the global carbon cycle.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mathew Williams, Dave Reay, Pete Smith
Summary: Some large investors mistakenly believe that focusing on sink-related projects can have a greater impact than reducing emissions, which may sideline effective mitigation strategies. In reality, both emissions reduction and removal are necessary and cost-effective.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ellen Piercy, Willy Verstraete, Peter R. Ellis, Mason Banks, Johan Rockstroem, Pete Smith, Oliver C. Witard, Jason Hallett, Christer Hogstrand, Geoffrey Knott, Ai Karwati, Henintso Felamboahangy Rasoarahona, Andrew Leslie, Yiying He, Miao Guo
Summary: A waste-to-protein system can transform waste into food-grade or feed-grade protein through various technologies. It has the potential to maximize resource recovery and promote a sustainable protein future by extracting nutrients and converting waste-carbon into fermentable sugars or other chemicals. However, regulatory processes and market barriers need to be addressed for the system's expansion.
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Filippo Milazzo, Richard M. Francksen, Laura Zavattaro, Mohamed Abdalla, Stanislav Hejduk, Simone Ravetto Enri, Marco Pittarello, Paul Newell Price, Rene L. M. Schils, Pete Smith, Tom Vanwalleghem
Summary: Permanent grasslands play a crucial role in protecting the landscape from soil erosion and flooding, but this role has not been fully quantified. The degradation of grasslands is quickly increasing, leading to erosion and runoff. This study aims to quantify the erosion and flooding mitigation effect of permanent grasslands compared to other land uses, as well as review the soil erosion processes affecting grasslands in the EU.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Juan Pablo Inamagua-Uyaguari, Nuala Fitton, Pete Smith
Summary: Ecuador aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing tree coverage in livestock landscapes. The study utilizes land cover datasets to identify suitable areas for tree cover expansion, with the conversion of steepland pastures into forests potentially offsetting 1.8-10% of Ecuador's annual agricultural sector emissions. However, this conversion may result in a significant decrease in pasture biomass production. The transformation of riparian and steepland pastures into silvopastoral systems offers carbon sequestration opportunities with less impact on pasture biomass production.
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jiao Feng, Dailin Yu, Robert L. L. Sinsabaugh, Daryl L. L. Moorhead, Mathias Neumann Andersen, Pete Smith, Yanting Song, Xinqi Li, Qiaoyun Huang, Yu-Rong Liu, Ji Chen
Summary: Biochar amendment is a promising agricultural approach to combat climate change by enhancing soil carbon sequestration. It was found that biochar addition increased soil ligninase activity targeting complex phenolic macromolecules, but suppressed cellulase activity degrading simpler polysaccharides. These shifts in enzyme activities explained variations in soil carbon sequestration in different conditions, and the ligninase:cellulase ratio correlated negatively with soil C sequestration. Short-term biochar addition reduced cellulase activity and increased soil organic C sequestration, while long-term addition enhanced ligninase activity and ligninase:cellulase ratio, resulting in a smaller increase in soil organic C sequestration. This research provides evidence for the diminished long-term soil C sequestration with biochar addition.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rachel Bezner Kerr, Julio C. Postigo, Pete Smith, Annette Cowie, Pramod K. Singh, Marta Rivera-Ferre, Maria Cristina Tirado-von der Pahlen, Donovan Campbell, Henry Neufeldt
Summary: Agroecology is proposed as a transformative approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation by applying ecological and humanistic principles. It is a holistic systems approach to producing food that incorporates social, economic, and political dimensions. This review paper examines the recent evidence and potential for agroecology as a transformative approach to meet key societal goals such as healthy ecosystems, food security, and nutrition.
CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Longlong Xia, Liang Cao, Yi Yang, Chaopu Ti, Yize Liu, Pete Smith, Kees Jan van Groenigen, Johannes Lehmann, Rattan Lal, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, Ralf Kiese, Minghao Zhuang, Xi Lu, Xiaoyuan Yan
Summary: This study, using data from China, shows that an integrated biomass pyrolysis and electricity generation system combined with methane and nitrogen mitigation measures can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from staple crops. The reductions are mainly achieved through carbon sequestration from biochar application and displacement of fossil fuels by bio-energy. The integrated system also has various environmental and economic benefits, such as increased crop yield and decreased air pollutant emissions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weilu Wang, Dongling Ji, Shaobing Peng, Irakli Loladze, Matthew Tom Harrison, William J. Davies, Pete Smith, Longlong Xia, Bin Wang, Ke Liu, Kuanyu Zhu, Wen Zhang, Linhan Ouyang, Lijun Liu, Junfei Gu, Hao Zhang, Jianchang Yang, Fei Wang
Summary: Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of different rice genotypes. Among the studied genotypes, 47 were classified as high yield with high NUE. These genotypes showed better performance in yield and NUE under high temperature, but had higher methane emissions and lower nitrous oxide emissions, resulting in a reduced yield-scaled greenhouse gas balance.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ulysse Gaudare, Matthias Kuhnert, Pete Smith, Manuel Martin, Pietro Barbieri, Sylvain Pellerin, Thomas Nesme
Summary: The authors simulated the impact of organic farming expansion on soil organic carbon and found that without additional practices such as cover cropping and residue recycling, there may be a decline in soil organic carbon stock. Expanding organic farming without these practices could result in a 40% reduction in global soil carbon input and 9% decline in SOC stock. However, implementing widespread cover cropping and residue recycling can preserve SOC after conversion to organic farming.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Miao Guo, Chunfei Wu, Stephen Chapman, Xi Yu, Tom Vinestock, Astley Hastings, Pete Smith, Nilay Shah
Summary: The study provides an overview and analysis of biorenewable resources, highlighting their significance in environmental resources and ecosystems. It also explores the challenges of biorenewable systems and emphasizes the need for a whole systems approach to facilitate the design and development of biorenewable solutions. Furthermore, the study reviews the advances and prospects of computational methods in biorenewable systems modelling.
CARBON CAPTURE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xi Deng, Yao Huang, Wenping Yuan, Wen Zhang, Philippe Ciais, Wenjie Dong, Pete Smith, Zhangcai Qin
Summary: This study examined the impact of soil on crop yield response to climate warming and found that each degrees C of warming reduced global yields of maize, wheat, rice, and soybean, with possible positive impacts. Soil organic carbon played a dominant role in regulating the spatial heterogeneity of yield responses to warming and could mitigate the negative effects of warming on crop yields.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
