BERAS-WP2 - Jelgava - 050408BERAS-WP2 - Jelgava - 050408

Thomas Schneider, PhDThomas Schneider, PhD

Stockholm University Stockholm University

Dept. Physical Geography & Quaternary Dept. Physical Geography & Quaternary GeologyGeology

Direct measurements of Direct measurements of nutrient leakage from fields nutrient leakage from fields

in ecological recycling in ecological recycling agricultureagriculture

Contribution to ID discussionContribution to ID discussion

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Sustainability of ERA - Nutrient Sustainability of ERA - Nutrient leakageleakage

• Prerequisite 1: Nutrient extensive systemPrerequisite 1: Nutrient extensive system– High degree of nutrient usageHigh degree of nutrient usage– Lower leakageLower leakage

• Prerequisite 2: Crop rotation as N-motorPrerequisite 2: Crop rotation as N-motor– N-surplus is produced (ley)N-surplus is produced (ley)– Fodder for animalsFodder for animals

• Prerequisite 3: Balance animal – crop Prerequisite 3: Balance animal – crop productionproduction– Animal production: fodder import, manure Animal production: fodder import, manure

surplussurplus– Crop production: no own manure, need for Crop production: no own manure, need for

fertilizerfertilizer

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HypothesesHypotheses

ERAERA

Environmentally sustainable ? -> WP2Environmentally sustainable ? -> WP2

Economically sustainable ? -> WP3Economically sustainable ? -> WP3

Socially sustainable ? -> WP4Socially sustainable ? -> WP4

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ObstaclesObstacles

(…) They propose an (…) They propose an old-timeold-time eco- eco-agriculture with lifestock and crop agriculture with lifestock and crop production on the same farm. The production on the same farm. The proposal is unrealistic in today’s proposal is unrealistic in today’s economicaleconomical reality, which needs reality, which needs

specialisation, large production areas and specialisation, large production areas and large animal farms. The today’s grain large animal farms. The today’s grain farmers are farmers are seldomseldom milk farmers and milk farmers and

vice versa. (…)vice versa. (…)

Jarl Ahlbeck, ass. prof. in environmental engineering,Jarl Ahlbeck, ass. prof. in environmental engineering,

Huvudstadbladet, 050405, reply on debate article in HB 050401 by Huvudstadbladet, 050405, reply on debate article in HB 050401 by Granstedt, Thomsson, Seuri, Sumelius, SchneiderGranstedt, Thomsson, Seuri, Sumelius, Schneider

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• The criticism shows the need of clarity in our different WPs. We need to show benefits of ERA in the different The criticism shows the need of clarity in our different WPs. We need to show benefits of ERA in the different WPS but also synergy effects of different factors from results from different WPs -> ID-workWPS but also synergy effects of different factors from results from different WPs -> ID-work

• We need to show:We need to show:– ERAS is not old-time agricutlture but ONE concept of reducing nutrients, enhancing social and economical sustainability not in ERAS is not old-time agricutlture but ONE concept of reducing nutrients, enhancing social and economical sustainability not in

parts but as a wholeparts but as a whole– Todays economical situation is not just given, it is made by the system, we don´t have just to accept this situation but can Todays economical situation is not just given, it is made by the system, we don´t have just to accept this situation but can

influence it by different concept -> ERAS is ONE possibilityinfluence it by different concept -> ERAS is ONE possibility

• We need to discuss that the today’s system is creating its own problems, eg. the economical situation for We need to discuss that the today’s system is creating its own problems, eg. the economical situation for farmers. We have to focus on the causes (system) and not on symptoms (economical situation)farmers. We have to focus on the causes (system) and not on symptoms (economical situation)