Fossil Energy Use, Climate Change Impacts, and Air Quality-Related Human Health Damages of Conventional and Diversified Cropping Systems in Iowa, USA
Natalie Hunt, Matt Liebman, Sumil K Thakrar, Jason Hill
Abstract
-related emissions by 42% and 57%. Herbicide treatment had no significant impact on environmental outcomes, while corn and soybean yields and whole-rotation economic returns improved significantly under diversification. Results suggest that diversification via shifting from conventional corn-soybean rotations to longer rotations with small grain and forage crops substantially reduced FE use, GHG emissions, and air quality damages, without compromising economic or agronomic performance.
Topics & Concepts
Greenhouse gasEnvironmental scienceCrop rotationCroppingCropping systemAgronomyAgricultureDiversification (marketing strategy)Fossil fuelClimate changeCropBusinessGeographyEngineeringBiologyWaste managementMarketingEcologyArchaeologyAgriculture Sustainability and Environmental ImpactEnergy and Environment ImpactsAir Quality and Health Impacts