Geospatial analysis of potential water use, water stress, and eutrophication impacts from US dairy production

Matlock, Marty; Cummings, Eric; Cothren, Jackson; Leh, Mansoor; Wilson, John Max

doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2012.05.001

Cited by 21 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The process‐based Water Supply Stress Index (WaSSI) was calculated to corroborate the results of the attribution analysis obtained with the empirical CEM. WaSSI (Sun, McNulty, Moore‐Myers, & Cohen, ; Sun et al, ) has been used in CONUS‐wide studies, for example, to evaluate environmental change impacts on ecosystem services (Caldwell, Sun, McNulty, Cohen, & Moore Myers, ), effects of urbanization and water withdrawals on streamflow (Caldwell, Sun, McNulty, Cohen, & Moore Myers, ), impacts of dairy production on water scarcity (Matlock et al, ), and drought effects in national forests (Sun et al, ). Monthly precipitation and air temperature from gridded PRISM data were scaled to the 12‐digit HUC watershed scale and used as input for WaSSI to calculate monthly water balances for eight land cover classes for the reference and post‐disturbance period.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of wildland fire impacts on watershed annual water yield: Analytical framework and case studies in the United States

et al. 2016

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More than 50% of water supplies in the conterminous United States originate on forestland or rangeland and are potentially under increasing stress as a result of larger and more severe wildfires. Little is known, however, about the long-term impacts of fire on annual water yield and the role of climate variability within this context. We here propose a framework for evaluating wildland fire impacts on streamflow that combines double-mass analysis with new methods (change point analysis, climate elasticity modeling, and process-based modeling) to distinguish between multiyear fire and climate impacts. The framework captures a wide range of fire types, watersheds characteristics, and climate conditions using streamflow data, as opposed to other approaches requiring paired watersheds. The process is illustrated with three case studies. A watershed in Arizona experienced a +266% increase in annual water yield in the 5 years after a wildfire, where +219% was attributed to wildfire and +24% to precipitation trends. In contrast, a California watershed had a lower (−64%) post-fire net water yield, comprised of enhanced flow (+38%) attributed to wildfire offset (−102%) by lower precipitation in the post-fire period.Changes in streamflow within a watershed in South Carolina had no apparent link to periods of prescribed burning but matched a very wet winter and reports of storm damage. The presented framework is unique in its ability to detect and quantify fire or other disturbances, even if the date or nature of the disturbance event is uncertain, and regardless of precipitation trends.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of wildland fire impacts on watershed annual water yield: Analytical framework and case studies in the United States

et al. 2016

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“…The NWFP thus calculated for Mediterranean livestock systems was approximately about 4000 L water/kg beef meat and 200 L water/L milk (Atzori et al 2015). Matlock et al (2013) found that the eutrophication impact for dairy production in the United States is more likely to occur from feed production than from on-farm dairy activities at regional (for nitrogen) and local (for phosphorus) scale. Nevertheless, given the increasing importance of water resources for the improvement of food production at a global scale, research should find effective solutions to save water resources and obtain a rational management of ruminant waste.…”

Section: Environmental Impact Of Ruminant Productionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Sustainable ruminant production to help feed the planet

Pulina

Francesconi

Stefanon

et al. 2016

Italian Journal of Animal Science

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Ruminant production has been an essential part of human activities worldwide since ancient times. The expected increase in world population and per capita income, with an increase in the amount and prevalence of animal products in human diet, urbanisation, with a concentration of population in urban areas and an increase in losses in the supply chain, and the growing concern over the environmental impact of animal farming require a long-term global strategy for a more intensive and sustainable ruminant production. Therefore, solutions to increase the supply of high-quality products of ruminant origin, without harming human health, animal welfare, and environment, should consider the following interconnected issues discussed in this review: (a) effects of meat, milk and dairy products consumption on human health, focussing on the imbalance caused by their insufficient consumption, and the alleged increased incidence of certain diseases due to their consumption; (b) importance of the sustainable intensification of ruminant production systems (e.g. better feed conversion and higher production output per unit of input introduced into the farming system); (c) environmental impact of ruminant production; (d) improvement of animal performance by improving animal welfare; (e) adaptation of ruminants to climate change; (f) sustainable ruminant feeding (e.g. precision feeding techniques, optimisation of grazing systems, and use of unconventional feeds); (g) challenges posed by production intensification to animal breeding and conservation of animal biodiversity; and (h) strategies to increase ruminant production in developing countries, thus achieving food security in vast areas of the planet affected by fast growth of human population

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“…Although regions at high risk for drought are increasing (Cook et al, 2015), a geospatial analysis of water use and water stress showed significant dairy production in the United States does not occur in water-stressed areas, with the exception of some areas in California, Arizona, and New Mexico (Matlock et al, 2013). Agricultural water use and conservation, particularly in 17 western states (Schaible and Aillery, 2012), will be challenged by expanding water demands to support population and economic growth; environmental flows; energysector growth; Native American water-right claims; and supply or demand shifts expected with climate change (Diffenbaugh et al, 2015).…”

Section: Climate Change and Water Availability Will Challenge Feed Prmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Animal agriculture accounts for 27% of the global water footprint of human activity and 98% of that water is used for animal feed production (Hoekstra, 2012). Matlock et al (2013) indicated that the major challenge for US dairy producers is irrigation water to grow feed rather than on-farm water use (i.e., drinking, cooling, and washing).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invited review: Sustainable forage and grain crop production for the US dairy industry

Martin

Russelle

Powell

et al. 2017

Journal of Dairy Science

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A resilient US dairy industry will be underpinned by forage and crop production systems that are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. Land use for production of perennial and annual forages and grains for dairy cattle must evolve in response to multiple food security and environmental sustainability issues. These include increasing global populations; higher incomes and demand for dairy and other animal products; climate change with associated temperature and moisture changes; necessary reductions in carbon and water footprints; maintenance of soil quality and soil nutrient concerns; and competition for land. Likewise, maintaining producer profitability and utilizing practices accepted by consumers and society generally must also be considered. Predicted changes in climate and water availability will likely challenge current feed and dairy production systems and their national spatial distribution, particularly the western migration of dairy production in the late 20th century. To maintain and stabilize profitability while reducing carbon footprint, particularly reductions in methane emission and enhancements in soil carbon sequestration, dairy production will need to capitalize on genetic and management innovations that enhance forage and grain production and nutritive value. Improved regional and on-farm integration of feed production and manure utilization is needed to reduce environmental nitrogen and phosphorus losses and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Resilient and flexible feed production strategies are needed to address each of these challenges and opportunities to ensure profitable feeding of dairy cattle and a sustainable dairy industry.

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Geospatial analysis of potential water use, water stress, and eutrophication impacts from US dairy production

Cited by 21 publications

References 13 publications

Assessment of wildland fire impacts on watershed annual water yield: Analytical framework and case studies in the United States

Assessment of wildland fire impacts on watershed annual water yield: Analytical framework and case studies in the United States

Sustainable ruminant production to help feed the planet

Invited review: Sustainable forage and grain crop production for the US dairy industry

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