Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413724
Research Project: Knowledge Systems and Tools to Increase the Resilience and Sustainablity of Western Rangeland Agriculture

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Special issue opening editorial: Reducing nitrogen waste through crop and livestock reconnection

Author
item LASSALETTA, LUIS - Universidad Politécnica De Madrid
item SANZ-COBEÑA, ALBERTO - Universidad Politécnica De Madrid
item PINSARD, CORENTIN - Inrae
item MA, LIN - International Center For Agricultural Research In The Dry Areas (ICARDA)
item Spiegal, Sheri
item REIDSMA, PYTRIK - Wageningen University

Submitted to: Agricultural Systems
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2023
Publication Date: 2/27/2024
Citation: Lassaletta, L., Sanz-Cobeña, A., Pinsard, C., Ma, L., Spiegal, S.A., Reidsma, P. 2024. Special issue opening editorial: Reducing nitrogen waste through crop and livestock reconnection. Agricultural Systems. 214. Article e103816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103816.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103816

Interpretive Summary: Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for life, but its intensive use by human societies has deeply altered its cycle, breaching its planetary boundary. Circular management of N can reduce waste and improve livelihoods. Despite the increased attention to crop and livestock reconnection in the context of a transition towards a more circular and sustainable food system, the room for reducing N waste through crop and livestock reconnection is still largely unexplored. This special issue aims to help close the gap.

Technical Abstract: Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for life, but its intensive use by human societies has deeply altered its cycle, breaching its planetary boundary. The inefficient use of N across agricultural and agro-food systems severely impairs the environment while also wasting a valuable resource. “N waste” was recently defined as the sum of all forms of reactive nitrogen (Nr) pollution plus denitrification to di-nitrogen (N2) - itself a waste of Nr resources. The urgency to reduce N waste by promoting sustainable food systems has been recognised by the United Nations, and the scientific community must contribute. Despite the increased attention to crop and livestock reconnection in the context of a transition towards a more circular and sustainable food system, the room for reducing N waste through crop and livestock reconnection is still largely unexplored. This special issue aims to help close the gap. We are considering studies dealing with strategies to reduce N waste through 1) reducing feed imports, thus relocating feed production, 2) improving local and regional optimal allocation of manure, and 3) improving NUE system efficiency through better crop and livestock spatial planning.