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How Eco-Efficient Are Low-Input Cropping Systems in Western Europe, and What Can Be Done to Improve Their Eco-Efficiency?

Author

Listed:
  • Michal Kulak

    (Life Cycle Assessment, Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich 8046, Switzerland)

  • Thomas Nemecek

    (Life Cycle Assessment, Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich 8046, Switzerland)

  • Emmanuel Frossard

    (Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau 8315, Switzerland)

  • Gérard Gaillard

    (Life Cycle Assessment, Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich 8046, Switzerland)

Abstract

Low-input cropping systems were introduced in Western Europe to reduce the environmental impacts of intensive farming, but some of their benefits are offset by lower yields. In this paper, we review studies that used Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to investigate the effects of reducing external inputs on the eco-efficiency of cropping systems, measured as the ratio of production to environmental impacts. We also review various cropping system interventions that can improve this ratio. Depending on the initial situation and the impacts considered, reducing inputs will in itself either reduce or increase environmental impacts per product unit—highly eco-efficient cropping systems require application of optimum instead of minimum quantities of external inputs. These optimum rates can be lowered by utilizing positive synergies between crops to minimise waste of nutrients and water and by utilizing locally produced organic waste; both from within the farm as well as well as from the surrounding sociotechnical environment. Eco-efficiency can also be improved by increasing yields in a sustainable matter. Strategies such as breeding, increasing diversity, no-tillage or intercropping will not be effective under all conditions. LCA provides a useful framework to identify environmentally optimum levels of inputs and trade-offs between various intensification scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Michal Kulak & Thomas Nemecek & Emmanuel Frossard & Gérard Gaillard, 2013. "How Eco-Efficient Are Low-Input Cropping Systems in Western Europe, and What Can Be Done to Improve Their Eco-Efficiency?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(9), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:9:p:3722-3743:d:28546
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elena Tamburini & Paola Pedrini & Maria Gabriella Marchetti & Elisa Anna Fano & Giuseppe Castaldelli, 2015. "Life Cycle Based Evaluation of Environmental and Economic Impacts of Agricultural Productions in the Mediterranean Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Anna Vatsanidou & Christos Kavalaris & Spyros Fountas & Nikolaos Katsoulas & Theofanis Gemtos, 2020. "A Life Cycle Assessment of Biomass Production from Energy Crops in Crop Rotation Using Different Tillage System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Forleo, Maria Bonaventura & Palmieri, Nadia & Suardi, Alessandro & Coaloa, Domenico & Pari, Luigi, 2017. "Bioenergy crops production in Italy: environmental impacts and economic performances," 2017 Sixth AIEAA Conference, June 15-16, Piacenza, Italy 261276, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA).
    4. Li Li & Wenliang Wu & Paul Giller & John O’Halloran & Long Liang & Peng Peng & Guishen Zhao, 2018. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Highly Diverse Vegetable Multi-Cropping System in Fengqiu County, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, March.
    5. Anna Vatsanidou & Spyros Fountas & Vasileios Liakos & George Nanos & Nikolaos Katsoulas & Theofanis Gemtos, 2020. "Life Cycle Assessment of Variable Rate Fertilizer Application in a Pear Orchard," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-25, August.
    6. Liang, Long & Lal, Rattan & Ridoutt, Bradley G. & Zhao, Guishen & Du, Zhangliu & Li, Li & Feng, Dangyang & Wang, Liyuan & Peng, Peng & Hang, Sheng & Wu, Wenliang, 2018. "Multi-indicator assessment of a water-saving agricultural engineering project in North Beijing, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 34-46.

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