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An Approach for Describing the Effects of Grazing on Soil Quality in Life-Cycle Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Roesch

    (Agroscope, LCA Research Group, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Peter Weisskopf

    (Agroscope, Soil Fertility and Soil Protection Group, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Hansruedi Oberholzer

    (Agroscope, Soil Fertility and Soil Protection Group, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Alain Valsangiacomo

    (Agroscope, LCA Research Group, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Thomas Nemecek

    (Agroscope, LCA Research Group, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zurich, Switzerland)

Abstract

Describing the impact of farming on soil quality is challenging, because the model should consider changes in the physical, chemical, and biological status of soils. Physical damage to soils through heavy traffic was already analyzed in several life-cycle assessment studies. However, impacts on soil structure from grazing animals were largely ignored, and physically based model approaches to describe these impacts are very rare. In this study, we developed a new modeling approach that is closely related to the stress propagation method generally applied for analyzing compaction caused by off-road vehicles. We tested our new approach for plausibility using a comprehensive multi-year dataset containing detailed information on pasture management of several hundred Swiss dairy farms. Preliminary results showed that the new approach provides plausible outcomes for the two physical soil indicators “macropore volume” and “aggregate stability”.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Roesch & Peter Weisskopf & Hansruedi Oberholzer & Alain Valsangiacomo & Thomas Nemecek, 2019. "An Approach for Describing the Effects of Grazing on Soil Quality in Life-Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4870-:d:264799
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nemecek, Thomas & Dubois, David & Huguenin-Elie, Olivier & Gaillard, Gérard, 2011. "Life cycle assessment of Swiss farming systems: I. Integrated and organic farming," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(3), pages 217-232, March.
    2. Nemecek, Thomas & Huguenin-Elie, Olivier & Dubois, David & Gaillard, Gérard & Schaller, Britta & Chervet, Andreas, 2011. "Life cycle assessment of Swiss farming systems: II. Extensive and intensive production," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(3), pages 233-245, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sorina-Simona Moraru & Antoaneta Ene & Alina Badila, 2020. "Physical and Hydro-Physical Characteristics of Soil in the Context of Climate Change. A Case Study in Danube River Basin, SE Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-26, November.

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