Towards resolving the phosphorus chaos created by food systems

Withers, PJA; Forber, KG; Lyon, C; Rothwell, S; Doody, DG; Jarvie, HP; Martin-Ortega, J; Jacobs, B; Cordell, D; Patton, M; Camargo-Valero, MA; Cassidy, R

Towards resolving the phosphorus chaos created by food systems

Withers, PJA Forber, KG Lyon, C Rothwell, S Doody, DG Jarvie, HP Martin-Ortega, J Jacobs, B

Cordell, D

Patton, M Camargo-Valero, MA Cassidy, R

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Publisher:: Springer (part of Springer Nature)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Ambio, 2020, 49, (5), pp. 1076-1089
Issue Date:: 2020

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Withers, PJA
dc.contributor.author	Forber, KG
dc.contributor.author	Lyon, C
dc.contributor.author	Rothwell, S
dc.contributor.author	Doody, DG
dc.contributor.author	Jarvie, HP
dc.contributor.author	Martin-Ortega, J
dc.contributor.author	Jacobs, B https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3147-341X
dc.contributor.author	Cordell, D https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5138-1569
dc.contributor.author	Patton, M
dc.contributor.author	Camargo-Valero, MA
dc.contributor.author	Cassidy, R
dc.date.accessioned	2020-09-20T04:27:08Z
dc.date.available	2019-08-31
dc.date.available	2020-09-20T04:27:08Z
dc.date.issued	2020
dc.identifier.citation	Ambio, 2020, 49, (5), pp. 1076-1089
dc.identifier.issn	0044-7447
dc.identifier.issn	1654-7209
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/142774
dc.description.abstract	© 2019, The Author(s). The chaotic distribution and dispersal of phosphorus (P) used in food systems (defined here as disorderly disruptions to the P cycle) is harming our environment beyond acceptable limits. An analysis of P stores and flows across Europe in 2005 showed that high fertiliser P inputs relative to productive outputs was driving low system P efficiency (38 % overall). Regional P imbalance (P surplus) and system P losses were highly correlated to total system P inputs and animal densities, causing unnecessary P accumulation in soils and rivers. Reducing regional P surpluses to zero increased system P efficiency (+ 16 %) and decreased total P losses by 35 %, but required a reduction in system P inputs of ca. 40 %, largely as fertiliser. We discuss transdisciplinary and transformative solutions that tackle the P chaos by collective stakeholder actions across the entire food value chain. Lowering system P demand and better regional governance of P resources appear necessary for more efficient and sustainable food systems.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Springer (part of Springer Nature)
dc.relation	University of Leeds
dc.relation.ispartof	Ambio
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s13280-019-01255-1
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Ambio. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01255-1.	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Ecology
dc.subject.mesh	Animals
dc.subject.mesh	Phosphorus
dc.subject.mesh	Soil
dc.subject.mesh	Fertilizers
dc.subject.mesh	Rivers
dc.subject.mesh	Agriculture
dc.subject.mesh	Europe
dc.subject.mesh	Agriculture
dc.subject.mesh	Animals
dc.subject.mesh	Europe
dc.subject.mesh	Fertilizers
dc.subject.mesh	Phosphorus
dc.subject.mesh	Rivers
dc.subject.mesh	Soil
dc.title	Towards resolving the phosphorus chaos created by food systems
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	49
utslib.location.activity	Sweden
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.date.updated	2020-09-20T04:27:05Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	49
utslib.citation.issue	5

Abstract:

© 2019, The Author(s). The chaotic distribution and dispersal of phosphorus (P) used in food systems (defined here as disorderly disruptions to the P cycle) is harming our environment beyond acceptable limits. An analysis of P stores and flows across Europe in 2005 showed that high fertiliser P inputs relative to productive outputs was driving low system P efficiency (38 % overall). Regional P imbalance (P surplus) and system P losses were highly correlated to total system P inputs and animal densities, causing unnecessary P accumulation in soils and rivers. Reducing regional P surpluses to zero increased system P efficiency (+ 16 %) and decreased total P losses by 35 %, but required a reduction in system P inputs of ca. 40 %, largely as fertiliser. We discuss transdisciplinary and transformative solutions that tackle the P chaos by collective stakeholder actions across the entire food value chain. Lowering system P demand and better regional governance of P resources appear necessary for more efficient and sustainable food systems.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/142774