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New Modelling Shows Mixed Land-Use Strategies Can Improve Food Production and Water Quality Across Great Britain
Scientists at Rothamsted have shown that combining land-sharing and land-sparing strategies at regional scales can deliver measurable improvements
Using a Long-Term Large-Scale integrated modelling framework, scientists at Rothamsted have shown that combining land-sharing and land-sparing strategies at regional scales can deliver measurable improvements in food production and freshwater quality compared with uniform national approaches.
The long-standing land-sharing versus land-sparing debate focuses on whether conservation and agriculture are best kept separate (land sparing) or integrated in the same landscape (land sharing). However, applying either approach uniformly across a whole country may be suboptimal for both biodiversity and production outcomes.
Through modelling trillions of possible land-use combinations across 11 regions of Great Britain, the analysis looked at how different strategies affect crop and livestock calorie production as well as losses of nitrate and phosphorus to rivers and streams. Scientists then identified the most efficient land-use mixes that balance production with environmental performance.The strongest results always combined elements of land sparing and land sharing, adjusted region by region. Compared with current land use, these mixed strategies:
o Increased livestock production by up to 9.7%
o Increased crop production by up to 5.2%
o Reduced nitrate losses by up to 11.9%
o Reduced phosphorus losses by up to 6.9%
Co-author Helen Metcalfe commented, “This modelling shows that smarter, spatially targeted land-use strategies can deliver measurable improvements in both food production and water quality at a national scale. While these gains are encouraging, they also underline that meeting Britain’s ambition to significantly increase food production while reducing environmental impacts by 2050 will require more than land allocation alone.”
Across the analysis, researchers identified more than 24,000 viable land-use pathways that outperform current land use, providing a robust evidence base for designing balanced, regionally tailored agricultural policy. However, land-use change alone will not solve all challenges and larger gains will depend on combining these strategies with improvements in nutrient management, technology and farming practice.
Publication
Contacts
Helen Metcalfe
Ecosystems Modeller
ABOUT ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH
Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking
discoveries in areas as diverse as crop management, statistical interpretation and soil health. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern
agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative approach to developing innovative farm practice.
Through independent research, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally, with
economic impact estimated to exceed £3 bn in annual contribution to the UK economy. Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines strategic research,
interdisciplinary teams and multiple partnerships.
Rothamsted is home to three unique National Bioscience Research Infrastructures which are open to researchers from all over the world:
The Long-Term Experiments,
Rothamsted Insect Survey and the
North Wyke Farm Platform.
We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and
international funding streams, and from industry. We are also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT).
ABOUT BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid
from the UK government.
BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant,
dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges,
such as sustainable food production, climate change, and healthy ageing.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we not only play a pivotal role in fostering connections that enable the UK’s world-class research and innovation system
to flourish – we also have a responsibility to enable the creation of a research culture that is diverse, resilient, and engaged.
BBSRC proudly forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity,
and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies, and partnerships on a global scale.
ABOUT LAT
The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.