Work

Nitrogen flow in food production and consumption system of Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2020

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Decoupled crop and livestock production caused serious disconnection of nitrogen utilization in agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China. In this study, we employed a material flow analysis approach to investigate reactive nitrogen (N r ) flow in the food production and consumption system in Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2020. Results indicated that agricultural production system is the primary source of Nr input for the food consumption system. The environmental nitrogen load in Inner Mongolia has been increasing progressively, from 266 Gg in 2000 to 882 Gg in 2020, primarily due to the rapid increase in livestock farming and significant losses of nitrogen in feces and urine. Our results raise the attention to promote the close integration of farmland production and livestock system in the decoupled crop and livestock production system.

Source: npj Sustainable Agriculture

DOI: 10.1038/s44264-024-00032-2

Authors: Chengsong Liao, Ruiqin Jia, Lan Wu, Dongyi Jiang, Yangyang Han, Dianming Wu

Institutions: Xilingol Vocational College, East China Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Sustainability and Ecological Systems Analysis

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Climate action, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,390