IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i4p2140-d500808.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Achieving Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Mixed Farming Landscapes Based on Collaborative Planning

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Aa. Christensen

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, 23 Rolighedsvej, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Peter S. Andersen

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, 23 Rolighedsvej, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Chris Kjeldsen

    (Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark)

  • Morten Graversgaard

    (Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark)

  • Erling Andersen

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, 23 Rolighedsvej, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Kristoffer Piil

    (SEGES, Danish Agriculture and Food Council, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
    The Limfjord Council Organization, 9400 Nørresundby, Denmark)

  • Tommy Dalgaard

    (Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark)

  • Jørgen E. Olesen

    (Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark)

  • Henrik Vejre

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, 23 Rolighedsvej, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

Abstract

Regulation of nitrogen (N) loss from the agri-environment is a global challenge with dire consequences for food production and environmental management. This is also the case in Denmark where regulation largely relies on general measures for reducing N inputs. These measures have significantly reduced nitrogen emissions, but further reduction is needed to achieve sustainable low levels of N transport to freshwater and marine ecosystems in compliance with standards set by the EU Water Framework Directive. As an alternative to general regulation, we tested a watershed-based, collaborative planning approach, engaging stakeholders in solution identification. Six watersheds with substantial agricultural production were used as test areas. A collaborative planning process of two stakeholder workshops embedded within a scenario formulation process was executed. Stakeholder inputs about possible, desirable and sustainable futures were used to formulate scenarios, for which N reduction effects were calculated. Upon conclusion of this process, results were assessed using a structured evaluation method. Results indicate that the process we tested was successful in terms of (1) engaging relevant stakeholders, (2) providing relevant data, (3) achieving processual flexibility, (4) including local knowledge and (5) facilitating a creative and explorative process. On this basis, suggestions for improving collaborative planning processes are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Aa. Christensen & Peter S. Andersen & Chris Kjeldsen & Morten Graversgaard & Erling Andersen & Kristoffer Piil & Tommy Dalgaard & Jørgen E. Olesen & Henrik Vejre, 2021. "Achieving Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Mixed Farming Landscapes Based on Collaborative Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:2140-:d:500808
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/4/2140/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/4/2140/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vejre, H. & Vesterager, J.P. & Andersen, P.S. & Olafsson, A.S. & Brandt, J. & Dalgaard, T., 2015. "Does cadastral division of area-based ecosystem services obstruct comprehensive management?," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 295(C), pages 176-187.
    2. Bruce Evan Goldstein & William Hale Butler, 2010. "Expanding the Scope and Impact of Collaborative Planning," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 76(2), pages 238-249, April.
    3. Henrik Vejre & Jens Peter Vesterager & Lone S. Kristensen & Jørgen Primdahl, 2011. "Stakeholder and expert-guided scenarios for agriculture and landscape development in a groundwater protection area," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(9), pages 1169-1187, November.
    4. Morten Graversgaard & Beatrice Hedelin & Laurence Smith & Flemming Gertz & Anker Lajer Højberg & John Langford & Grit Martinez & Erik Mostert & Emilia Ptak & Heidi Peterson & Nico Stelljes & Cors Van , 2018. "Opportunities and Barriers for Water Co-Governance—A Critical Analysis of Seven Cases of Diffuse Water Pollution from Agriculture in Europe, Australia and North America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-39, May.
    5. David R. Kanter & Olivia Chodos & Olivia Nordland & Mallory Rutigliano & Wilfried Winiwarter, 2020. "Gaps and opportunities in nitrogen pollution policies around the world," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(11), pages 956-963, November.
    6. Daugbjerg, Carsten & Pedersen, Anders Branth, 2004. "New Policy Ideas and Old Policy Networks: Implementing Green Taxation in Scandinavia," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(2), pages 219-249, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lin, Boqiang & Li, Xuehui, 2011. "The effect of carbon tax on per capita CO2 emissions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(9), pages 5137-5146, September.
    2. Aldy, Joseph E. & Ley, Eduardo & Parry, Ian, 2008. "A Tax–Based Approach to Slowing Global Climate Change," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 61(3), pages 493-517, September.
    3. Guanyi Yu & Chunliang Xiu & Changsong Zhao & Zhengliang Ding, 2018. "Strategic Cross-Border Water Pollution in Songliao Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Vejre, H. & Vesterager, J.P. & Andersen, P.S. & Olafsson, A.S. & Brandt, J. & Dalgaard, T., 2015. "Does cadastral division of area-based ecosystem services obstruct comprehensive management?," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 295(C), pages 176-187.
    5. Beltrán, Allan & Alatorre, José Eduardo & Ferrer, Jimy & Galindo, Luis Miguel, 2017. "Efectos potenciales de un impuesto al carbono sobre el producto interno bruto en los países de América Latina: estimaciones preliminares e hipotéticas a partir de un metaanálisis y una función de tran," Documentos de Proyectos 41867, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    6. Geneviève Mireille Perron & John F. (Jack) Duffy, 2012. "Environmental and Business Communities of Practice: Graduate Students Comparing Community‐Relevant Language," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(3), pages 170-182, March.
    7. Bednarek-Szczepańska Maria, 2019. "The Role of Local Communities in the Process of Siting of the Unwanted Facilities within the Rural Areas in Poland," Eastern European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 25(1), pages 63-94, December.
    8. Stavins, Robert N., 2019. "The Future of U.S. Carbon-Pricing Policy: Normative Assessment and Positive Prognosis," Working Paper Series rwp19-017, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    9. Bednarek-Szczepańska Maria, 2020. "The local community: an entity discriminated against in spatial decision-making in Poland?," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 50(50), pages 55-72, December.
    10. Robert Finger, 2023. "Digital innovations for sustainable and resilient agricultural systems," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 50(4), pages 1277-1309.
    11. Joseph E. Aldy & Robert Stavins, 2011. "The Promise and Problems of Pricing Carbon: Theory and Experience," NBER Working Papers 17569, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    12. Devarajan, Shantayanan & Go, Delfin S. & Robinson, Sherman & Thierfelder, Karen, 2009. "Tax policy to reduce carbon emissions in south Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4933, The World Bank.
    13. Davis, Emily Jane & Hajjar, Reem & Charnley, Susan & Moseley, Cassandra & Wendel, Kendra & Jacobson, Meredith, 2020. "Community-based forestry on federal lands in the western United States: A synthesis and call for renewed research," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    14. De Almeida Furtado, Murilo & Meuwissen, Miranda P.M. & Ang, Frederic, 2024. "Land reallocation to increase production and reduce nitrogen surplus: impacts on crop diversity in England and Wales," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343878, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    15. Javier Martínez-Dalmau & Julio Berbel & Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández, 2021. "Nitrogen Fertilization. A Review of the Risks Associated with the Inefficiency of Its Use and Policy Responses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, May.
    16. Beatrice Hedelin & Johanna Alkan-Olsson & Larry Greenberg, 2023. "Collaboration Adrift: Factors for Anchoring into Governance Systems, Distilled from a Study of Three Regulated Rivers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, March.
    17. Bruce Evan Goldstein & Anne Taufen Wessells & Raul Lejano & William Butler, 2015. "Narrating Resilience: Transforming Urban Systems Through Collaborative Storytelling," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(7), pages 1285-1303, May.
    18. Ruth Yabes & Bruce Evan Goldstein, 2015. "Collaborative Resilience to Episodic Shocks and Surprises: A Very Long-Term Case Study of Zanjera Irrigation in the Philippines 1979–2010," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-30, July.
    19. Huber, Robert & Späti, Karin & Finger, Robert, 2023. "A behavioural agent-based modelling approach for the ex-ante assessment of policies supporting precision agriculture," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    20. Gao, Riping & Pan, Zhihua & Zhang, Jun & Chen, Xiao & Qi, Yinglong & Zhang, Ziyuan & Chen, Shaoqing & Jiang, Kang & Ma, Shangqian & Wang, Jialin & Huang, Zhefan & Cai, Linlin & Wu, Yao & Guo, Ning & X, 2023. "Optimal cooperative application solutions of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization for high crop yield and friendly environment in the semi-arid region of North China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:2140-:d:500808. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.