N-losses and energy use in a scenario for conversion to organic farming

ScientificWorldJournal. 2001 Nov 16:1 Suppl 2:822-9. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2001.305.

Abstract

The aims of organic farming include the recycling of nutrients and organic matter and the minimisation of the environmental impact of agriculture. Reduced nitrogen (N)-losses and energy (E)-use are therefore fundamental objectives of conversion to organic farming. However, the case is not straightforward, and different scenarios for conversion to organic farming might lead to reduced or increased N-losses and E-use. This paper presents a scenario tool that uses a Geographical Information System in association with models for crop rotations, fertilisation practices, N-losses, and E-uses. The scenario tool has been developed within the multidisciplinary research project Land Use and Landscape Development Illustrated with Scenarios (ARLAS). A pilot scenario was carried out, where predicted changes in N-losses and E-uses following conversion to organic farming in areas with special interests in clean groundwater were compared. The N-surplus and E-use were on average reduced by 10 and 54%, respectively. However, these reductions following the predicted changes in crop rotations, livestock densities, and fertilisation practices were not large enough to ensure a statistically significant reduction at the 95% level. We therefore recommend further research in how conversion to organic farming or other changes in the agricultural practice might help to reduce N-surpluses and E-uses. In that context, the presented scenario tool would be useful.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / methods*
  • Agriculture / statistics & numerical data
  • Animal Feed / statistics & numerical data
  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / growth & development
  • Animals, Domestic / metabolism
  • Cattle
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / statistics & numerical data
  • Electric Power Supplies / statistics & numerical data
  • Electricity
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Fertilizers / statistics & numerical data
  • Fossil Fuels / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Poultry / growth & development
  • Poultry / metabolism
  • Water Supply / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Nitrogen