Ecological Recycling Agriculture to Enhance Agro-Ecosystem Services in the Baltic Sea Region: Guidelines for Implementation

Abstract

Eutrophication caused by agriculture is an increasing ecological threat to the Baltic Sea. Modern, resource-efficient farming systems based on integrated plant and animal production, effective nutrient recycling and low external inputs can enhance multiple agroecosystem services, resulting in reduced pollution. Practical examples of such farming systems are not widespread. Therefore, the Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society (BERAS) Implementation project aimed to foster this systemic shift. In this paper, agronomic strategies are described to improve nitrogen (N) efficiency for the conversion to ecological recycling agriculture (ERA). First, N farm gate balances of 22 farms in conversion are presented. They showed a large variation from −9 to 90 kg·N·ha. Then, the use of guidelines and advisory tools to improve the nitrogen efficiency is described. The legume estimation trainer and nitrogen budget calculator help assess and optimize the nitrogen supply from legumes under farming conditions. The application of the crop rotation planning tool "ROTOR" guides advisors and farmers to identify agronomically and environmentally sound rotations. The tools can help overcome key agronomic constraints by implementing ERA. The necessity of accompanying measures from policy and the need to change food consumption patterns are discussed. OPEN ACCESSLand 2015, 4 738

Agro(Eco)System Services—Supply and Demand from Fields to Society

“…At the same time, specific markets are developing for high quality farm products or regional brands. The interest of agricultural producers to enhance production efficiency has often resulted in homogeneous landscapes with low structural diversity [1], soil erosion [2], high nutrient input and water pollution [3], resource-inefficient production schemes [4] and increasing dependence on subsidies, as well as losses in biodiversity and landscape aesthetics [5]. On the other hand, trends to counter these developments are emerging, focusing on natural capital and functions of landscapes and ecosystems other than production [6].…”

“…Furthermore, safeguarding mechanisms are needed to ensure that farmers manage the land responsibly, taking into account the environmental effects agricultural activities generate. Negative effects could be compensated by the "polluter-pays principle" [5], whereas ecological-economic information could be used to support an ecosystem service-based management [3]. All these contributions are relevant to the discussion of ecosystem services provided by agricultural/rural areas and decision-making perspectives for managing them sustainably.…”

“…Farm gate balances of nitrogen were analyzed and compared across different European countries based on different computer-based simulation, learning and planning tools. One solution to improve existing agricultural systems could be Ecological Recycling Agriculture (ERA) [3], which might be integrated in EU recommendations for organic farming. ERA could support a more resource-efficient agriculture and simultaneously reduce negative environmental effects.…”

“…Large-scale and long-term land-sea interactions related to eutrophication of the Baltic Sea due to agricultural nutrient inputs are the topic of [3]. Farm gate balances of nitrogen were analyzed and compared across different European countries based on different computer-based simulation, learning and planning tools.…”

“…Benefits derived from these systems therefore cannot be assigned to ecological processes that exist independently of human activities. Agro(eco)system services need to be considered in the context of 'the multiple goods and services provided to humanity by nature' in combination with (often substantial) additional anthropogenic inputs [7] (such as fertilizer, pesticides, energy, labor, machinery, knowledge) [2][3][4]8,9]. Agricultural systems/landscapes are multifunctional; they supply visually distinct scenery, contain structurally and functionally distinct biodiversity, and they are the source for provisioning, regulating and cultural services [5].…”