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Title: The pivotal and paradoxical role of phosphorus in a resilient water-energy-food security nexus

Author
item JARVIE, HELEN - Centre For Ecology And Hydrology
item SHARPLEY, ANDREW - University Of Arkansas
item FLATEN, DON - University Of Manitoba
item Kleinman, Peter
item JENKINS, ALAN - Centre For Ecology And Hydrology
item SIMMONS, TARRA - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2015
Publication Date: 7/10/2015
Citation: Jarvie, H.P., Sharpley, A., Flaten, D., Kleinman, P.J.A, Jenkins, A., Simmons, T. 2015. The pivotal and paradoxical role of phosphorus in a resilient water-energy-food security nexus. Journal of Environmental Quality. 44:1049-1062.

Interpretive Summary: Phosphorus is an essential nutrient whose prudent use is essential to many aspects of modern life. The “phosphorus nexus” includes not just to its role in food production, but extends to its growing role in bioenergy and water security. This manuscript describes the phosphorus nexus as a framework for the sustainable management of food, fuel and water resources in which trade-offs between phosphorus scarcity and phosphorus excess are balanced.

Technical Abstract: We make the case that phosphorus (P) is inextricably linked to an increasingly fragile, interconnected and interdependent ‘nexus’ of water, energy, and food security. While there are many other drivers that influence water, energy, and food security, P plays a unique and under-recognized role within the nexus. The P ‘paradox’ derives from fundamental challenges in meeting water, energy, and food security for a growing global population. We face simultaneous dilemmas of overcoming scarcity of P to sustain terrestrial food and biofuel production; and addressing overabundance of P entering aquatic systems, which impairs water quality and aquatic ecosystems, and threatens water security. Historical success in redistributing rock phosphate as fertilizer, to enable modern feed and food production systems, is a grand societal achievement in overcoming inequality. However, using the USA as an example, we demonstrate how successes in redistribution of P, and reorganization of farming systems has broken local P cycles, and has inadvertently created instability that threatens the resilience of the nexus. Furthermore, recent expansion of the biofuels sector is placing further pressure on P distribution and availability within the nexus. Despite these challenges, opportunities exist to intensify and expand food and biofuel production through recycling and better management of land and water resources. Ultimately, sustainable P management can help minimize tradeoffs and catalyze synergies among components of the water, energy, and food security nexus, to address the P ‘paradox’ and improve nexus resilience.