| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Akram, Usman, 1984-
(författare)
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Closing nutrient cycles
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Adequate and balanced crop nutrition – with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) – is vital for sustainable crop production. Inadequate and imbalanced crop nutrition contributes to the crop yield gaps – a difference in actual and potential crop yield. Yield gap is one of the many causes of insufficient food production, thus aggravating hunger and malnourishment across the globe. On the other hand, an oversupply of nutrients is highly unsustainable, in terms of both resource conservation and global environmental health. A decreasing excreta recycling in crop production is one of the many reasons for nutrient imbalances in agriculture. Previous studies show that increasing agricultural specialization leads to spatial separation of crop and animal production. Increasing distance between excreta production and crop needs is one of the leading factors that cause reduced excreta recycling. Studies focusing on excreta recycling show that a substantial barrier to a more efficient excreta nutrient reuse is the expensive transportation of bulky volumes of excreta over long distances. In order to overcome that barrier, more detailed spatial estimates of distances between excreta production and crop nutrient needs, and the associated costs for complete excreta transport in an entire country are needed. Hence, the overall aim of this thesis was to quantify the amount of nutrients in the excreta resources compared to the crop nutrient needs at multiple scales (global, national, subnational, and local), and to analyze the need for excreta transports, total distances and costs, to meet the crop nutrient needs in a country.On the global scale, annual (2000-2016) excreta supply (livestock and human) could provide at least 48% of N, 57% of P, and 81% of K crop needs. Although excreta supply was not enough to cover the annual crop nutrient needs at the global scale, at least 29 countries for N, 41 for P, and 71 for K had an excreta nutrient surplus. When including the annual use of synthetic fertilizers, at least 42 additional countries had a N surplus, with the equivalent figures for P being 17 countries, whereas 8 additional countries attained a K surplus. At the same time, when accounting for the use of synthetic fertilizers, each year, at least 57 countries had an N deficit, 70 a P deficit, and 51 countries a K deficit, in total equivalent to 14% of global N and 16% of each P and K crop needs. The total surplus in other countries during the period was always higher than the deficit in the countries with net nutrient deficits, except for P for some years. Unfortunately, both the deficits of the deficit countries and surpluses of the surplus countries were increasing substantially during the 17 years. Such global divergence in nutrient deficits and surpluses have clear implications for global food security and environmental health.A district-scale investigation of Pakistan showed that the country had a national deficit of 0.62 million tons of P and 0.59 million tons of K, but an oversupply of N. The spatial separation was not significant at this resolution; only 6% of the excreta N supply needed to be transported between districts. Recycling all excreta, within and between districts, could cut the use of synthetic N to 43% of its current use and eliminate the need for synthetic K, but there would be an additional need of 0.28 million tons of synthetic P to meet the crop nutrient needs in the entire country. The need for synthetic fertilizers to supplement the recycled excreta nutrients would cost USD 2.77 billion. However, it might not be prohibitively expensive to correct for P deficiencies because of the savings on the costs of synthetic N, and K. Excreta recycling could promote balanced crop nutrition at the national scale in Pakistan, which in turn could eliminate the nutrient-related crop yield gaps in the country.The municipal-scale investigation using Swedish data showed that the country had a national oversupply of 110,000 tons of N, 6,000 tons of P, and 76,000 tons of K. Excreta could provide up to 75% of N and 81% of P, and more than 100% of the K crop needs in the country. The spatial separation was pronounced at the municipal scale in the country. Just 40% of the municipalities produced over 50% of the excreta N and P. Nutrient balance calculations showed that excreta recycling within municipalities could provide 63% of the P crop needs. Another 18% of the P crop needs must be transported from surplus municipalities to deficit municipalities. Nationally, an optimized reallocation of surplus excreta P towards the P deficit municipalities would cost USD 192 million for a total of 24,079 km truck transports. The cost was 3.7 times more than the total NPK fertilizer value transported, and that met the crop nutrient needs. It was concluded that Sweden could potentially reduce its dependence on synthetic fertilizers, but to cover the costs of an improved excreta reuse would require valuing the additional benefits of recycling.An investigation was also done to understand the effect of the input data resolution on the results (transport needs and distances) from a model to optimize excreta redistribution. The results showed that the need for excreta transports, distances, and spatial patterns of the excreta transports changed. Increasing resolution of the spatial data, from political boundaries in Sweden and Pakistan to 0.083 decimal grids (approximately 10 km by 10 km at the equator), showed that transport needs for excreta-N increased by 12% in Pakistan, and the transport needs for excreta-P increased by 14% in Sweden. The effect of the increased resolution on transport analysis showed inconsistency in terms of the excreta total nutrient transportation distance; the average distance decreased by 67% (to 44 km) in Pakistan but increased by 1 km in Sweden. A further increase in the data resolution to 5 km by 5 km grids for Sweden showed that the average transportation distance decreased by 9 km. In both countries, increasing input data resolution resulted in a more favorable cost to fertilizer value ratios. In Pakistan, the cost of transport was only 13% of the NPK fertilizer value transported at a higher resolution. In Sweden, the costs decreased from 3.7 (at the political resolution) to slightly higher than three times of the fertilizer value transported in excreta at the higher data resolution.This Ph.D. thesis shows that we could potentially reduce the total use of synthetic fertilizers in the world and still reduce the yield gaps if we can create a more efficient recycling of nutrients both within and between countries, and a more demand adapted use of synthetic fertilizers.
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| 3. |
- Akram, Usman, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Closing Pakistan’s yield gaps through nutrient recycling
- 2018
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2571-581X. ; , s. 1-14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Achieving food security will require closing yield gaps in many regions, including Pakistan. Although fertilizer subsidies have facilitated increased nitrogen (N) application rates, many staple crop yields have yet to reach their maximum potential. Considering that current animal manure and human excreta (bio-supply) recycling rates are low, there is substantial potential to increase the reuse of nutrients in bio-supply. We quantified 2010 crop N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) needs along with bio-supply nutrient availability for Pakistani districts, and compared these values to synthetic fertilizer use and costs. We found that synthetic fertilizer use combined with low bio-supply recycling resulted in a substantial gap between nutrient supply and P and K crop needs, which would cost 3 billion USD to fill with synthetic fertilizers. If all bio-supply was recycled, it could eliminate K synthetic fertilizer needs and decrease N synthetic fertilizer needs to 43% of what was purchased in 2010. Under a full recycling scenario, farmers would still require an additional 0.28 million tons of synthetic P fertilizers, costing 2.77 billion USD. However, it may not be prohibitively expensive to correct P deficiencies. Pakistan already spends this amount of money on fertilizers. If funds used for synthetic N were reallocated to synthetic P purchases in a full bio-supply recycling scenario, crop needs could be met. Most recycling could happen within districts, with only 6% of bio-supply requiring between-district transport when optimized to meet national N crop needs. Increased recycling in Pakistan could be a viable way to decrease yield gaps.
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| 4. |
- Akram, Usman, et al.
(författare)
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Enhancing nutrient recycling from excreta to meet crop nutrient needs in Sweden - a spatial analysis
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increased recycling of nutrient-rich organic waste to meet crop nutrient needs is an essential component of a more sustainable food system. However, agricultural specialization continues to pose a significant challenge to balancing crop nutrient needs and the nutrient supply from animal manure and human excreta locally. For Sweden, this study found that recycling all excreta (in 2007) could meet up to 75% of crop nitrogen and 81% of phosphorus needs, but that this would exceed crop potassium needs by 51%. Recycling excreta within municipalities could meet 63% of crop P nutrient needs, but large regional differences and imbalances need to be corrected to avoid over or under fertilizing. Over 50% of the total nitrogen and phosphorus in excreta is contained in just 40% of municipalities, and those have a surplus of excreta nutrients compared to crop needs. Reallocation of surpluses (nationally optimized for phosphorus) towards deficit municipalities, would cost 192 million USD (for 24 079 km of truck travel). This is 3.7 times more than the total NPK fertilizer value being transported. These results indicate that Sweden could reduce its dependence on synthetic fertilizers through investments in excreta recycling, but this would likely require valuing also other recycling benefits.
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| 5. |
- Akram, Usman, et al.
(författare)
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Optimizing Nutrient Recycling From Excreta in Sweden and Pakistan : Higher Spatial Resolution Makes Transportation More Attractive
- 2019
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2571-581X. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recycling essential plant nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) from organic waste such as human and animal excreta will be an essential part of sustainable food systems and a circular economy. However, transportation is often cited as a major barrier to increased recycling as organic waste is heavy and bulky, and distances between areas of abundant waste may be far from areas with a need for fertilizers. We investigated the effect of increased input data spatial resolution to an optimization model on the weight, distance, and spatial patterns of transport. The model was run in Sweden and in Pakistan to examine cost-effectiveness of transporting excess excreta to areas of crop need after local recycling. Increasing the resolution of input data from political boundaries (municipalities and districts) to 0.083 decimal grids increased the amount of N requiring transport by 12% in Pakistan and increased P requiring transport by 14% in Sweden. The average distance decreased by 67% (to 44 km) in Pakistan but increased by 1 km in Sweden. Further increasing the resolution to 5 km grids in Sweden decreased the average transportation distance by 9 km (down to 123 km). In both countries, increasing resolution also decreased the number of long-distance heavy transports, and as such costs did not increase as much as total distance and weight transported. Ultimately, transportation in Pakistan seemed financially beneficial: the cost of transport only represented 13% of the NPK fertilizer value transported, and total recycling could even cover 78% of additional fertilizer purchases required. In Sweden, the cost of transporting excreta did not seem cost effective without valuing other potential benefits of increased recycling: costs were three times higher than the fertilizer value transported in excreta at the 5 km resolution. In summary, increasing input data resolution created a more realistic picture of recycling needs. This also highlighted more favorable cost to fertilizer value ratios which could make it easier to move forward with industry and government partners to facilitate productive recycling. Our analysis shows that in both countries increased recycling can result in better spatial nutrient balances.
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| 6. |
- Brownlie, Will J., et al.
(författare)
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Opportunities to recycle phosphorus-rich organic materials
- 2022. - 1
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Ingår i: Our Phosphorus Future. - Edinburgh : UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. ; , s. 219-270
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Recycling phosphorus-rich organic wastes and manures is critical for phosphorus sustainability and a transition to a more circular economy for phosphorus. Beyond agronomic benefits, the win-wins are numerous, with benefits to society, environment, economy, and business growth. However, to significantly increase phosphorus recycling, education, awareness-raising, investment in technology and infrastructure, and policy support are urgently needed.
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| 7. |
- Childers, Daniel L., et al.
(författare)
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Urban Ecological Infrastructure: An inclusive concept for the non-built urban environment
- 2019
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Ingår i: Elementa. - : UNIV CALIFORNIA PRESS. - 2325-1026. ; 7
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is likely that half of the urban areas that will exist in 2050 have not yet been designed and built. This provides tremendous opportunities for enhancing urban sustainability, and using "nature in cities" is critical to more resilient solutions to urban challenges. Terms for "urban nature" include Green Infrastructure (GI), Green-Blue Infrastructure (GBI), Urban Green Space (UGS), and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). These terms, and the concepts they represent, are incomplete because they tend to reduce the importance of non-terrestrial ecological features in cities. We argue that the concept of Urban Ecological Infrastructure (UEI), which came from a 2013 forum held in Beijing and from several subsequent 2017 publications, is a more inclusive alternative. In this paper we refine the 2013 definition of UEI and link the concept more directly to urban ecosystem services. In our refined definition, UEI comprises all parts of a city that support ecological structures and functions, as well as the ecosystem services provided by UEI that directly affect human outcomes and wellbeing. UEI often includes aspects of the built environment, and we discuss examples of this "hybrid infrastructure". We distinguish terrestrial, aquatic, and wetland UEI because each type provides different ecosystem services. We present several examples of both "accidental" UEI and UEI that was explicitly designed and managed, with an emphasis on wetland UEI because these ecotonal ecosystems are uniquely both terrestrial and aquatic. We show how both accidental and planned UEI produces unexpected ecosystem services, which justifies recognizing and maintaining both purposeful and serendipitous types of UEI in cities. Finally, we posit that by incorporating both "ecological" and "infrastructure", UEI also helps to bridge urban scientists and urban practitioners in a more transdisciplinary partnership to build more resilient and sustainable cities.
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| 8. |
- Cordell, Dana, et al.
(författare)
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Transforming Cities: Securing food and clean waterways through phosphorus governance
- 2017
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Ingår i: Transdiciplinary Research and Practice for Sustainability Outcomes. - : Routledge. - 9781138625730 - 9781138119703 - 9781315652184 ; , s. 139-154
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- As an essential input to crop growth via soil reserves or fertilizer, phosphorus underpins global food security. Without phosphorus, food could not be produced, yet phosphorus is mined from fi nite reserves, most of which are controlled by only a few countries1 (UNEP 2011; Jasinski 2015; Cordell and White 2014). Fertilizer prices are likely to increase as fi nite reserves become critically scarce. Globally, a billion farmers and their families cannot access fertilizer markets and many rely on phosphorus-defi cient soils that produce low crop yields (IFPRI 2003). Moreover, mismanagement along the phosphorus supply chain from mine to fi eld to fork has resulted in massive losses and waste, which largely ends up in waterways, causing nutrient pollution and algal blooms (Bennett, Carpenter and Caraco 2001). The global phosphorus challenge is inherently complex; it is as much about international relations as farm soil fertility. It transcends disciplines, sectors, and scales – from geopolitics to ecology to nutrition. In this chapter, we describe and refl ect upon a new project using a novel transdisciplinary approach to address this phosphorus challenge.
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| 9. |
- Davy, Jonathan, et al.
(författare)
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Designing a greywater treatment system in a highly adaptive urban environment: an ergonomics and human factors observational analysis
- 2023
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Ingår i: Urban Water Journal. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 1573-062X .- 1744-9006. ; 20:5, s. 624-637
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Unplanned, high-density settlements in low-middle income countries often lack functional wastewater management systems. Nature-based solutions, such as constructed wetlands, are an option for the treatment of greywater, provided they are used by and useful to the community. We explored the effectiveness of iterative design for two pilot constructed wetlands in an informal settlement in Johannesburg, South Africa. Using ergonomics and human factors (E/HF) design approaches, this study evaluated the usability and postural risks associated with interactions with the constructed wetlands to motivate (and evaluate) design changes to increase use and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal pain. An elevated work area reduced musculoskeletal risks and a larger work area allowed more users at one time. The raised work areas provided other benefits such as stormwater and sewerage protection. The value of E/HF as part of a broader transdisciplinary team was demonstrated by embedding the design in the activities of the community.
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| 10. |
- Feiz, Roozbeh, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Key factors for site-selection of biogas plants in Sweden
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - Amsterdam, Netherlands : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 354
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biogas production through anaerobic digestion is an integral part of the transition toward a biobased and circular economy and its expansion is foreseen in many parts of the world as well as in Europe. In Sweden, a governmental inquiry suggested biogas production to be increased from about 2 TWh today to 7 TWh by 2030. This rapid expansion would require installation of several new biogas plants across the country. However, the location of biogas plants can greatly affect its business performance and there are several geographic and socio-political factors that would limit the choice of location. Through dialogue with existing biogas producing companies and a few other related actors, we identified 12 factors that are commonly considered in the site-selection of biogas plants in Sweden or are considered to be important in the years to come. These factors are grouped into those related to supply and demand (feedstock supply, biogas demand, digestate demand, and carbon dioxide demand), infrastructure and synergies (available infrastructure, adjacent existing industries), land-use and zoning (nearby housing, zoning, and historic preservation sites), and socio-political context (political strategies and goals, organizational capability, and local social acceptance). We discuss how these factors can be used under rapidly transforming conditions in Sweden through different site-selection logics and highlight the importance of spatially explicit analysis for individual or coordinated decision making in future. Our method of enquiry and analysis, and to a certain degree the factors, can be also relevant for other countries, particularly in Europe. This study paves the way for more in-depth investigation of the question of site-selection of biogas plants in Sweden; both in the direction of detailed analysis at the local level, or screening analysis on the regional or national level for improved coordinated actions.
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| 11. |
- Forber, K. J., et al.
(författare)
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Plant-based diets add to the wastewater phosphorus burden
- 2020
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Ingår i: Environmental Research Letters. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 1748-9326. ; 15:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Global food production and current reliance on meat-based diets requires a large share of natural resource use and causes widespread environmental pollution including phosphorus (P). Transitions to less animal-intensive diets address a suite of sustainability goals, but their impact on societys wastewater P burden is unclear. Using the UK as our example, we explored historical diet changes between 1942 and 2016, and how shifting towards plant-based diets might impact the P burden entering wastewater treatment works (WWTW), and subsequent effluent P discharge to receiving water bodies. Average daily per capita P intake declined from its peak in 1963 (1599 mg P pp(-1)d(-1)) to 1354 mg P pp(-1)d(-1)in 2016. Since 1942, the contribution of processed foods to total P consumption has increased from 21% to 52% in 2016, but consumption of total animal products has not changed significantly. Scenario analysis indicated that if individuals adopted a vegan diet or a low-meat (EAT- Lancet) diet by 2050, the P burden entering WWTW increased by 17% and 35%, respectively relative to baseline conditions in 2050. A much lower P burden increase (6%) was obtained with a flexitarian diet. An increasing burden of P to WWTW threatens greater non-compliance with regulatory targets for P discharge to water, but also presents an opportunity to the wastewater industry to recycle P in the food chain, and reduce reliance on finite phosphate rock resources. Sustainable diets that reduce food system P demand pre-consumption could also provide a source of renewable fertilizers through enhanced P recovery post-consumption and should be further explored.
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| 12. |
- Harder, Robin, et al.
(författare)
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Egestabase – An online evidence platform to discover and explore options to recover plant nutrients from human excreta and domestic wastewater for reuse in agriculture
- 2024
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Ingår i: MethodsX. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 1258-780X .- 2215-0161. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Restoring nutrient circularity across scales is important for ecosystem integrity as well as nutrient and food security. As such, research and development of technologies to recover plant nutrients from various organic residues has intensified. Yet, this emerging field is diverse and difficult to navigate, especially for newcomers. As an increasing number of actors search for circular solutions to nutrient management, there is a need to simplify access to the latest knowledge. Since the majority of nutrients entering urban areas end up in human excreta, we have chosen to focus on human excreta and domestic wastewater. Through systematic mapping with stakeholder engagement, we compiled and consolidated available evidence from research and practice. In this paper, we present ‘Egestabase’ – a carefully curated open-access online evidence platform that presents this evidence base in a systematic and accessible manner. We hope that this online evidence platform helps a variety of actors to navigate evidence on circular nutrient solutions for human excreta and domestic wastewater with ease and keep track of new findings.
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| 13. |
- Harrison, John A., et al.
(författare)
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Modeling phosphorus in rivers at the global scale: recent successes, remaining challenges, and near-term opportunities
- 2019
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Ingår i: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 1877-3435 .- 1877-3443. ; 36, s. 68-77
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Understanding and mitigating the effects of phosphorus (P) overenrichment of waters globally, including the evaluation of the global Sustainability Development Goals, requires the use of global models. Such models quantitatively link land use, global population growth and climate to aquatic nutrient loading and biogeochemical cycling. Here we describe, compare, and contrast the existing global models capable of predicting P transport by rivers at a global scale. We highlight important insights gained from the development and application of these models, and identify important near-term opportunities for model improvements as well as additional insight to be gained through new model analysis.
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| 14. |
- Iwaniec, David, et al.
(författare)
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P-FUTURES: Towards urban food & water security through collaborative design and impact
- 2016
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Ingår i: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. - : Elsevier. - 1877-3435 .- 1877-3443. ; 20, s. 1-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Phosphorus is essential to food production, but current management practices fail to ensure equitable access to farmers globally and often results in polluted waterways. There is a lack of local and global governance mechanisms to ensure phosphorus is sustainably managed. The P-FUTURES research initiative aims to address this gap by working with stakeholders to explore visions and pathways of social transformation towards food and water security. In the seed phase of the project, academic, civil, industry, and municipal stakeholders interacted as partners in Blantyre (Malawi), Hanoi (Vietnam), Sydney (Australia), and Phoenix (USA) to collaboratively develop a full proposal and build capacity for transformational change. The article offers guidance on the opportunities and challenges of co-developing a research approach and proposal in a transdisciplinary, international setting.
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| 15. |
- Kingsley, Jonathan, et al.
(författare)
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Pandemic gardening: A narrative review, vignettes and implications for future research
- 2023
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Ingår i: Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. - : ELSEVIER GMBH. - 1618-8667 .- 1610-8167. ; 87
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a significant amount of evidence highlighting the health, wellbeing and social benefits of gardening during previous periods of crises. These benefits were also evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents a narrative review exploring gardening during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic to understand the different forms of gardening that took place during this crisis and key elements of this activity. Research about gardening during the pandemic focused on food (in)security and disrupted food systems, the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening, and the social dimensions of gardening. We offer three vignettes of our own research to highlight key insights from local, national and international perspectives of gardening during the pandemic. The papers conclusion outlines how researchers, policy makers and public health practitioners can harness what has been learned from gardening during the pandemic to ensure these benefits are more widely available and do not exacerbate already entrenched health inequalities in society.
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| 16. |
- Larsson, Madeleine, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Towards a more circular biobased economy and nutrient use on Gotland : finding suitable locations for biogas plants
- 2023
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this study we have investigated the role of biogas solutions to support increased resource efficiency on the island Gotland, including recovery and redistribution of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) within the agricultural sector. First, we analyzed the potential for expanding energy and nutrient recovery from organic residues using biogas solutions. Our findings suggest that the biogas production could expand to 165 GWh, from the current 36 GWh (2020), with manure accounting for a potential 110 GWh biogas annually if all were digested. Comparing the nutrients contained in organic feedstock with the crop nutrient demand on Gotland showed that for N the demand is 2.4 times higher than the supply. In contrast, the calculations showed a 137 tonnes P surplus, with distinct excess areas in the center and southern part of the island.We then compared scenarios with different numbers (3 - 15) of biogas plants with respect to efficient nutrient redistribution and transport costs. Spatial constraints for new plants, e.g. need for roads with a certain capacity and permit issues, were accounted for by adding local information to a national data set. We identified 104 potential locations (1 km$^2$ grid cells) and used an optimization model to identify the most suitable locations for minimized transport costs. Optimal (meeting the crop demand with no excess) redistribution of all nutrients contained in the feedstock, as raw digestate from biogas plants, would result in an export of 127 tonnes of P from the island. The model results indicated that if all potential feedstock would be digested in three additional biogas plants and nutrients redistributed for optimal reuse, the total transport cost would be 2.6 million SEK annually, excluding the costs for nutrient export from the island (3.7 million SEK). If instead 10 or 15 smaller plants would be built, the transport cost would drop to 1.8 million SEK, with the same amount of P being exported. Comparing the scenarios with different number of biogas plants (3 - 15), showed that some locations are more suitable than others in terms of distance to feedstock andto fields with fertilizer demands. Finally, a preliminary analysis of the amount of crop residues indicated that this type of feedstock could add a substantial amount of biogas production, but more extensive analyses are needed to assess the feasibility to realize part of that potential.
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| 17. |
- Laycock Pedersen, Rebecca, et al.
(författare)
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Distinguishing transdisciplinary (and) action research in sustainability science : a comparative systematic-narrative hybrid literature review
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There are many socially engaged research modes in sustainability science. The main ones are action research and transdisciplinary research. There is also transdisciplinary action research, a field that seems to combine the two. This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the differences between these research modes in the context of sustainability science to help potential users to determine appropriate research mode(s) to fulfil their purposes. To do so, we asked three research questions: (i) What are the aims of these research modes? (ii) What are some methods used to fulfil the aims of these research modes? (iii) In what empirical domain are the different approaches being used today? Using a comparative systematic-narrative hybrid literature review and bibliometric studies the paper attempts to fulfil the set aim. In total, we analysed 1487 articles in-depth, of which 633 utilised the action research mode, 787 used transdisciplinary research, and 67 used transdisciplinary action research. There are a lot of similarities between the research modes, e.g. they all use traditional qualitative social science research methods, engage the same types of stakeholders, and address the same sustainability issues. But the differences relate to the aims of the research modes. Researchers employing action research seem to be more intent on achieving action in the practice domain and knowledge from that action for both practitioners and researchers (action-for-knowledge). In contrast, researchers employing transdisciplinary research rather seem to be more intent on producing new, relevant and shared knowledge for an action that is later undertaken in the practice domain (knowledge-for-action). Although this might be a premature conclusion, researchers employing transdisciplinary action research seem to be more intent on achieving action based on integrative knowledge (integrative knowledge-for-action). Finally, some advice regarding the choice of research mode for a particular purpose is presented.
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| 18. |
- Liss, Kate N., et al.
(författare)
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Variability in ecosystem service measurement : a pollination service case study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. - : Wiley. - 1540-9295 .- 1540-9309. ; 11:8, s. 414-422
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Research quantifying ecosystem services (ES) - collectively, the benefits that society obtains from ecosystems -is rapidly increasing. Despite the seemingly straightforward definition, a wide variety of methods are used to measure ES. This methodological variability has largely been ignored, and standard protocols to select measures that capture ES provision have yet to be established. Furthermore, most published papers do not include explicit definitions of individual ES. We surveyed the literature on pollination ES to assess the range of measurement approaches, focusing on three essential steps: (1) definition of the ES, (2) identification of components contributing to ES delivery, and (3) selection of metrics to represent these components. We found considerable variation in how pollination as an ES - a relatively well-defined service - is measured. We discuss potential causes of this variability and provide suggestions to address this issue. Consistency in ES measurement, or a clear explanation of selected definitions and metrics, is critical to facilitate comparisons among studies and inform ecosystem management.
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| 19. |
- Lundin, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Recirkulering av näringsämnen mellan stad och land - vad vill gödselanvändaren ha?
- 2021
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Recirkulering av näringsämnen från avloppsströmmar tillbaka till odlingsbar mark kräver en systemomställning både vad gäller marknad, infrastruktur, policys och regelverk. Olika aktörer inom värdekedjan, från kunder i matbutiken och lantbrukare, till avloppsreningsverk, teknikleverantörer och beslutsfattande myndigheter, behöver ha någorlunda gemensamma prioriteringar och det krävs konkreta åtgärder för att möjliggöra de omställningar som krävs.Den pågående globala omställningen mot ett mer cirkulärt och hållbart samhälle kommer också att kräva stora systemomställningar i avlopps- och sanitetsbranschen. Näringsämnen som återfinns i avloppsvattnet måste återvinnas för att minska utsläpp av övergödande ämnen till vattendrag och för att säkerställa tillgång till livsmedel med behov av näringsämnen för sin tillväxt.Trots att det är tydligt att en ökad recirkulering av näring från avloppsströmmar behövs, att regelverk väntas inom en snar framtid och att teknikutvecklingen går snabbt framåt så saknas hållbara strategier för ett genomförande. Detta gäller både i Sverige och i många andra länder. Den svenska näringsplattformen, genomförde under 2020, tillsammans med forskningsprojektet End-of-Wastewater, litteraturstudier, intervjuer och enkäter med sakägare samt en workshop med olika sakägare i frågan (40 deltagare) för att komma ett steg närmare prioriterade åtgärder mot en gemensam vision för Sverige år 2030.Det finns i Sverige idag ett glapp mellan aktörer som arbetar inom avlopp- och avfallsindustrin och aktörer som arbetar inom jordbruk, lantbruk och livsmedelsindustrin. Samtidigt finns en vilja att minska detta glapp. En anledning till viljan att minska detta glapp är att de aktörer som arbetar inom avloppsindustrin vill kunna producera gödselprodukter som motsvarar de behov som finns hos jordbrukarna. I Tabell 1 sammanfattas de främsta faktorer och egenskaper som anses viktiga för dessa produkter. Tabellen har tagits fram efter en litteraturöversikt och den har sedan använts som bas i en workshop, för prioritering av dessa faktorer och egenskaper mot varandra och för att specificera nödvändiga konkreta aktiviteter för att möjliggöra en marknad för återvunna näringsprodukter till år 2030.Produkternas säkerhet har högsta prioritet när de olika deltagande aktörsgruppernas svar på workshopen slås ihop. Deltagande lantbrukare som egen urvalsgrupp ansåg dock att ett känt näringsinnehåll (kväve, fosfor, kalium) i produkten har högsta prioritet och rankade produktsäkerhet på andra plats. Deltagarna bekräftade att alla listade faktorer och egenskaper i Tabell 1 är relevanta, vilket stödjer resultatet från litteraturstudien. Även om många svar från de olika deltagande aktörsgrupperna var samstämmiga krävs ytterligare underlag från främst aktörer inom jordbruk, lantbruk och livsmedelsindustrin, för att ytterligare bekräfta behovs- och kravbilden.Deltagarna specificerade också nödvändiga aktiviteter inom fyra fokusområden:Regelverk och policyForskning och framtagande av beslutsunderlagInfrastrukturella anpassningarKunskapsutbyte och samverkanÄven om specifika aktiviteter identifierades av deltagarna under workshopen, var det svårare att tillsätta vilken aktör som bör vara ansvarig för genomförande av respektive aktivitet. Tydliga delmål med tydlig ansvarsfördelning är viktigt för uppfyllelse av slutmålen. Några av dessa delmål var:Tydliga och stödjande regelverk på regional, nationell och europeisk nivå.Certifieringssystem för gödselprodukter innehållande återvunnen näring från avloppsströmmar.Kunskapsspridning kring risker och fördelar med återvunnen näring.Arbeta för ökad social acceptans och kunskap inom området hos livsmedelskonsumenterna, men specifikt även mot aktörer som arbetar inom beslutsfattande myndigheter, livsmedelsindustrin, infrastrukturella aktörer.
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| 20. |
- Macura, Biljana, et al.
(författare)
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Technologies for recovery and reuse of plant nutrients from human excreta and domestic wastewater : a protocol for a systematic map and living evidence platform
- 2021
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Ingår i: Environmental Evidence. - : BioMed Central Ltd. - 2047-2382. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Research and development on the recovery and reuse of nutrients found in human excreta and domestic wastewater has intensified over the past years, continuously producing new knowledge and technologies. However, research impact and knowledge transfer are limited. In particular, uptake and upscaling of new and innovative solutions in practice remain a key challenge. Achieving a more circular use of nutrients thus goes beyond technological innovation and will benefit from a synthesis of existing research being readily available to various stakeholders in the field. The aim of the systematic map and online evidence platform described in this protocol is threefold. First, to collate and summarise scientific research on technologies that facilitate the recovery and reuse of plant nutrients and organic matter found in human excreta and domestic and municipal wastewater. Second, to present this evidence in a way that can be easily navigated by stakeholders. Third, to report on new relevant research evidence to stakeholders as it becomes available. Methods: Firstly, we will produce a baseline systematic map, which will consist of an extension of two previous related syntheses. In a next stage, with help of machine learning and other automation technologies, the baseline systematic map will be transformed into ‘living mode’ that allows for a continually updated evidence platform. The baseline systematic map searches will be performed in 4 bibliographic sources and Google Scholar. All searches will be performed in English. Coding and meta-data extraction will include bibliographic information, locations as well as the recovery and reuse pathways. The living mode will mostly rely on automation technologies in EPPI-Reviewer and the Microsoft Academic database. The new records will be automatically identified and ranked in terms of eligibility. Records above a certain ‘cut-off’ threshold will be manually screened for eligibility. The threshold will be devised based on the empirically informed machine learning model. The evidence from the baseline systematic map and living mode will be embedded in an online evidence platform that in an interactive manner allows stakeholders to visualise and explore the systematic map findings, including knowledge gaps and clusters. © 2021, The Author(s).
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| 21. |
- Mcconville, Jennifer, et al.
(författare)
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Acceptance of human excreta derived fertilizers in Swedish grocery stores
- 2023
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Ingår i: CITY AND ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS. - : Elsevier. - 2590-2520. ; 17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Safe recycling of nutrients found in human excreta back to agriculture is an important component of a circular economy that can protect waterways and stabilize food prices. Although many technological advances for the recovery of these nutrients exist, large-scale implementation is lacking. A commonly cited barrier is a lack of acceptance of fertilizers from human excreta and for food products grown with such fertilizers. The food retail sector, as an intermediary between producers and consumers, is an important actor with power to influence opinions and purchasing practices. In this study, we surveyed 127 food retailers (stores) and reviewed publicly available retailer sustainability policies to assess acceptance of the use of recycled fertilizers. We gauged acceptance of three products relevant for the Swedish market - struvite, phosphorus from ash, and dehydrated urine. Most respondents felt that all three recovery techniques were unlikely to be harmful either to themselves or to the environment. It was more acceptable to use products further away from human consumption. In general, struvite and phosphorus from ash were perceived more positively. Acceptance of wastewater-derived fertilizers was largely dependent on perceived risks, especially the fate of pharmaceutical residues. While re-tailers in Sweden are not negative to reuse, they seem unlikely to provide strong support for nutrient recircu-lation from human excreta unless it becomes a greater concern for the public.
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| 22. |
- Metson, Genevieve, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Consumption - the missing link towards phosphorus sustainability
- 2022
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Ingår i: Our Phosphorus Future. - Edinburgh : UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. ; , s. 309-337
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Supporting low levels of animal product (meat, dairy, and eggs) consumption and food waste can significantly reduce the impacts of unsustainable phosphorus use. In addition, consuming products grown with good on-farm nutrient management practices, including phosphorus recycling can further reduce impacts. These changes can contribute to achieving multiple United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals related to improving human and environmental health.
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| 23. |
- Metson, Genevieve, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Efficiency Through Proximity : Changes in Phosphorus Cycling at the Urban–Agricultural Interface of a Rapidly Urbanizing Desert Region
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Industrial Ecology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1088-1980 .- 1530-9290. ; 16:6, s. 914-927
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In tightly coupled socioecological systems, such as cities, the interactions between socio-economic and biophysical characteristics of an area strongly influence ecosystem function. Very often the effects of socioeconomic activities on ecosystem function are unintended, but can impact the sustainability of a city and can have irreversible effects. The food system in its entirety, from production to treatment of human waste, is one of the most important contributors to the way phosphorus (P) cycles through cities. In this article we examined the changes in P dynamics at the urbanï¿œagricultural interface of the Phoenix, Arizona, USA, metropolitan area between 1978 and 2008. We found that the contribution of cotton to harvested P decreased while the contribution of alfalfa, which is used as feed for local dairy cows, increased over the study period. This change in cropping pattern was accompanied by growth in the dairy industry and increased internal recycling of P due to dairy cow manure application to alfalfa fields and the local recycling of biosolids and treated wastewater. The proximity of urban populations with dairies and feed production and low runoff in this arid climate have facilitated this serendipitous recycling. Currently P is not strongly regulated or intentionally managed in this system, but farmers’ behaviors, shaped largely by market forces and policies related to water recycling, unintentionally affect P cycling. This underscores the need to move from unintentional to deliberate and holistic management of P dynamics through collaborations between practitioners and researchers in order to enhance urban sustainability.
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| 24. |
- Metson, Genevieve, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Facilitators & barriers to organic waste and phosphorus re-use in Montreal
- 2015
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Ingår i: Elementa. - : University of California Press. - 2325-1026. ; 3, s. 1-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cities have the capacity to play a key role in resource and pollution management through their decisions about organic waste. Often overlooked, but nevertheless essential, is the role that cities can play in increasing phosphorus (P) recycling because cities are consumers of large amounts of P-dense food and producers of vast amounts of P-rich waste. Most cities do not take advantage of this potential, seeing P as simply another part of organic waste to be disposed of elsewhere. For example, in Montreal, Canada, only 6% of P in waste is currently recycled. We used semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (19), participant observation (over 1.5 years), and document review to identify key barriers and facilitators for Montreal to achieve a high level of organic waste recycling through composting. We found that a provincial law mandating 100% recycling of organic matter has great potential to facilitate increased P recycling. However, lack of a shared vision about the role of government, private sector, and citizens in producing high quality compost from waste products is a barrier that inhibits this potential. Cultural inertia, lack of knowledge, and lack of infrastructure also act as barriers to increasing composting in Montreal. Urban agriculture could be a means to overcome some of these barriers as it currently benefits from strong citizen support and is both a consumer and producer of compost. However limited access to potential garden space and training and diversity in desired fertilizer qualities among gardeners somewhat limit this potential. Investing in increasing social capital, and specifically in connecting urban agriculture to waste management objectives, and in linking key stakeholders to co-create shared visions about how to produce high quality compost may act as a stepping stone towards increasing Montreal citizens’ knowledge about, and support for, increasing organic waste and thus P recycling.
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| 25. |
- Metson, Genevieve, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Feeding the Corn Belt: Opportunities for phosphorus recycling in U.S. agriculture
- 2016
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 542:Part B, s. 1117-1126
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The supply of phosphorus (P) is a critical concern for food security. Concentrated mineral P deposits have been the source of almost all new P entering the biosphere. However, this resource is often used inefficiently, raising concerns about both nutrient pollution and future access to fertilizers. One solution to both of these problems is to enhance our ability to capture and recycle P from waste streams. However, the efficacy of doing this has not been rigorously explored. Here, we examine the potential for recycling major P sources in the United States to supply the necessary P for domestic corn (maize) production. Using 2002 population and agricultural census data, we examine the distribution of three key recyclable P sources (human food waste, human excreta, and animal manure) and P demand from grain and silage corn across the country to determine the distance P would need to be transported from sources to replenish P removed from soils in harvested corn plants. We find that domestic recyclable P sources, predominantly from animal manures, could meet national corn production P demands with no additional fertilizer inputs. In fact, only 37% of U.S. sources of recyclable P would be required to meet all P demand from U.S. corn harvested annually. Seventy-four percent of corn P demand could be met by recyclable P sources in the same county. Surplus recyclable P sources within-counties would then need to travel on average 302 km to meet the largest demand in and around the center of the ‘Corn Belt’ region where ~ 50% of national corn P demand is located. We find that distances between recyclable sources and crop demands are surprisingly short for most of the country, and that this recycling potential is mostly related to manure. This information can help direct where recycling efforts should be most-effectively directed.
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