Version 1
: Received: 4 December 2023 / Approved: 4 December 2023 / Online: 5 December 2023 (04:47:37 CET)
How to cite:
He, Y.; Mao, D.; Zhang, W.; Huang, Q.; Wang, Y.; Chen, X.; Dong, X.; Yao, Z. Environmental Impacts of Crops Production Systems in Subtropical Plateau Regions: Case Study of Yunnan, China. Preprints2023, 2023120230. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202312.0230.v1
He, Y.; Mao, D.; Zhang, W.; Huang, Q.; Wang, Y.; Chen, X.; Dong, X.; Yao, Z. Environmental Impacts of Crops Production Systems in Subtropical Plateau Regions: Case Study of Yunnan, China. Preprints 2023, 2023120230. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202312.0230.v1
He, Y.; Mao, D.; Zhang, W.; Huang, Q.; Wang, Y.; Chen, X.; Dong, X.; Yao, Z. Environmental Impacts of Crops Production Systems in Subtropical Plateau Regions: Case Study of Yunnan, China. Preprints2023, 2023120230. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202312.0230.v1
APA Style
He, Y., Mao, D., Zhang, W., Huang, Q., Wang, Y., Chen, X., Dong, X., & Yao, Z. (2023). Environmental Impacts of Crops Production Systems in Subtropical Plateau Regions: Case Study of Yunnan, China. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202312.0230.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
He, Y., Xiangshu Dong and Zhi Yao. 2023 "Environmental Impacts of Crops Production Systems in Subtropical Plateau Regions: Case Study of Yunnan, China" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202312.0230.v1
Abstract
Although agricultural crops production systems in subtropical plateau regions currently pose high environmental risks, especially in developing countries, their environmental impacts and emission-reduction potentials remain unclear, and the development potential of such systems is likely huge. We conducted a case study in Yunnan Province, China, to quantify the environmental impacts from crop production during 2002–2021. The life cycle assessment method was employed to identify factors driving the environmental impacts, and potential mitigation strategies were proposed. The yield and total nutrient input of grain crops in Yunnan Province increased over the 20-year period, and environmental footprint of crops production in Yunnan Province was higher than that of other regions. Average annual mean greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and soil acidification potentials (AP) and water eutrophication potentials (EP) of crops production during 2002–2021 were 732 kg CO2-eq·Mg-1, 15.8 kg SO2-eq·Mg-1, and 2.7 kg PO4-eq Mg-1, respectively. GHG emissions from g crops mainly originated from applying agricultural materials during the crop life cycle. There was a significant correlation between surplus nitrogen and environmental impacts. Scenario testing showed that through crop sowing, nutrient regulation, and crop management, the crop yield could be increased and environmental costs could be reduced. The greatest reductions were found in wheat production: 53.1%, 67.9%, and 67.7% for GHG emissions, AP, and EP, respectively. Adopting comprehensive agricultural management measures could reduce the negative impact of crops production on the environment in subtropical plateau areas and achieve sustainable agricultural development.
Keywords
subtropics; plateau region; environmental impact; life cycle assessment
Subject
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Sustainable Science and Technology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
