Growing awareness of global challenges and increasing pressures on the farming sector, including the urgent requirement to rapidly cut greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, emphasize the need for ...sustainable production, which is particularly relevant for dairy production systems. Comparing dairy production systems across the three sustainability dimensions is a considerable challenge, notably due to the heterogeneity of production conditions in Europe. To overcome this, we developed an ex post multicriteria assessment tool that adopts a holistic approach across the three sustainability dimensions. This tool is based on the DEXi framework, which associates a hierarchical decision model with an expert perspective and follows a tree shaped structure; thus, we called it the DEXi-Dairy tool. For each dimension of sustainability, qualitative attributes were defined and organized in themes, sub-themes, and indicators. Their choice was guided by three objectives: (i) better describe main challenges faced by European dairy production systems, (ii) point out synergies and trade-offs across sustainability dimensions, and (iii) contribute to the identification of GHG mitigation strategies at the farm level. Qualitative scales for each theme, sub-theme, and indicator were defined together with weighting factors used to aggregate each level of the tree. Based on selected indicators, a list of farm data requirements was developed to populate the sustainability tree. The model was then tested on seven case study farms distributed across Europe. DEXi-Dairy presents a qualitative method that allows for the comparison of different inputs and the evaluation of the three sustainability dimensions in an integrated manner. By assessing synergies and trade-offs across sustainability dimensions, DEXi-Dairy is able to reflect the heterogeneity of dairy production systems. Results indicate that, while trade-offs occasionally exist among respective selected sub-themes, certain farming systems tend to achieve a higher sustainability score than others and hence could serve as benchmarks for further analyses.
In a context where sustainability assessments are increasingly popular, this perspective article discusses the influence of methodological choices on measurements of farm sustainability. We build the ...argumentation on the premises that sustainability is a multi-dimensional concept that can be measured through an indicator approach and use examples from a case study analysis of seven European dairy farms. Specifically, the article demonstrates how and why indicator selection, estimation methods, and reporting frameworks can influence measured performance and thereby affect wider sustainability conclusions about production systems and practice change. Overall, we highlight that while in practical terms, methodological choices are necessary to conduct a farm sustainability assessment, important limitations can arise from the process. Of particular concern are farm conclusions and recommendations that lead to perverse outcomes and generate further sustainability issues outside of study scope. Practical guidance is provided to aid methodological choices with a more comprehensive and critical view of farm sustainability assessments. Importantly, we call for a more upfront recognition of methodological shortcomings in farm analyses.
•This perspective discusses methodological choices in sustainability assessments.•It uses examples from a case study analysis of European dairy farms.•Indicator selection can influence measured farm sustainability.•The choice of indicator estimation methods can also affect measured performance.•Indicator reporting frameworks have an effect on measured performance.
This study summarizes a large diverse dataset of methane (CH4) fluxes measured from agricultural sites across the British Isles. A total of 53,976 manual static chamber measurements from 27 different ...sites were investigated to determine the magnitude of CH4 fluxes from a variety of agricultural fields across the UK and Ireland. Our study shows that contrary to some studies, agricultural soils (both arable and grassland) are small net emitters of CH4 rather than sinks. Mean fluxes measured from arable and grassland sites (excluding fertiliser and tillage events) were 0.11 ± 0.06 and 0.19 ± 0.09 nmol m−2 s−1, respectively, and were not found to be significantly different (Welch t‐test, p = 0.17). Using the values reported in this study, we estimate that an annual emission of 0.16 and 0.09 Mt of CO2‐eq is expected from arable and grassland agricultural soils in the UK and Ireland (comparable to 0.3 and 0.7% of the current annual CH4 emission inventories, respectively). Where CH4 uptake occurs in soils, it is negligible compared to expected emissions of the application of animal manures and tillage events, which were both found to significantly increase CH4 emissions in the immediate few days to months after events. Our study highlights that there are significant differences in CH4 uptake and emissions between sites, and that these differences are partially the result of the moisture content of the soil (i.e., the aerobic status of the soil). We expect uptake of CH4 to be more prevalent in drier soils where volumetric water content does not exceed 35% and emissions to be exponentially greater where agricultural fields become waterlogged.
Highlights
This study investigated 53,976 CH4 flux measurements from 27 sites across the UK
Our study shows both arable and grassland soils are small net emitters of CH4
We estimate annual CH4 emissions of 0.16 Mt of CO2‐eq from agricultural soils in the UK
We estimate annual CH4 emissions of 0.09 Mt of CO2‐eq from agricultural soils in Ireland
It is not fully elucidated whether the restoring of normal glucose metabolism after successful simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) improves vascular wall morphology and function in ...type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients. Therefore, we compared arterial stiffness, assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and biomarkers of arterial wall calcification in T1D patients after SPK or kidney transplantation alone (KTA). In 39 SPK and 39 KTA adult patients of similar age, PWV, IMT, circulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and calcification biomarkers were assessed at median 83 months post transplantation. Additionally, carotid plaques were visualized and semi-qualitatively classified. Although PWV and IMT values were similar, the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques (51.3 vs. 70.3%, p < 0.01) and calcified lesions (35.9 vs. 64.9%, p < 0.05) was lower in SPK patients. There were significantly lower concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and osteocalcin in SPK subjects. Among the analyzed biomarkers, only logMMP-1, logMMP-2, and logMMP-3 concentrations were associated with log HbA1c. Multivariate stepwise backward regression analysis revealed that MMP-1 and MMP-3 variability were explained only by log HbA1c. Normal glucose metabolism achieved by SPK is followed by the favorable profile of circulating matrix metalloproteinases, which may reflect the vasoprotective effect of pancreas transplantation.
● An expert survey highlighted the most effective strategies for GHG and ammonia mitigation. ● Interventions considered to have the highest mitigation potential are discussed. ● Experts agreed that ...no single mitigation measure can uniquely deliver GHG and ammonia mitigation. ● Experts noted a need for further investment in research, knowledge exchange, education and to develop implementation pathways. ● There is a need for more data to better quantify mitigation potentials and implement effective management strategies.
Agriculture is essential for providing food and maintaining food security while concurrently delivering multiple other ecosystem services. However, agricultural systems are generally a net source of greenhouse gases and ammonia. They, therefore, need to substantively contribute to climate change mitigation and net zero ambitions. It is widely acknowledged that there is a need to further reduce and mitigate emissions across sectors, including agriculture to address the climate emergency and emissions gap. This discussion paper outlines a collation of opinions from a range of experts within agricultural research and advisory roles following a greenhouse gas and ammonia emission mitigation workshop held in the UK in March 2022. The meeting identified the top mitigation priorities within the UK's agricultural sector to achieve reductions in greenhouse gases and ammonia that are compatible with policy targets. In addition, experts provided an overview of what they believe are the key knowledge gaps, future opportunities and co-benefits to mitigation practices as well as indicating the potential barriers to uptake for mitigation scenarios discussed.
The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of simultaneous pancreas–kidney or kidney transplantation on endothelial function and systemic inflammation in type 1 diabetic patients with ...end-stage renal disease. In 39 simultaneous pancreas–kidney, 39 type 1 diabetic kidney and 52 non-diabetic kidney recipients, flow-mediated dilatation was measured. Additionally, blood glycated haemoglobin, serum creatinine and lipids, plasma nitrites
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and nitrates, asymmetric dimethylarginine, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin 1β and interleukin 6 concentrations were assessed. During 58 ± 31 months follow-up period, flow-mediated dilatation and
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were greater in simultaneous pancreas–kidney than in type 1 diabetic kidney recipients 10.4% ± 4.7% vs 7.7% ± 4.2%, p < 0.05 and 0.94 (0.74–1.34) vs 0.24 (0.20–0.43) μmol/L, p < 0.01, respectively. In type 1 diabetic patients after simultaneous pancreas–kidney or kidney transplantation,
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correlated with flow-mediated dilatation (r = 0.306, p < 0.05) and with blood glycated haemoglobin (r = −0.570, p < 0.001). The difference in
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was linked to blood glycated haemoglobin and estimated glomerular filtration rate, whereas the difference in flow-mediated dilatation was linked to
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. The levels of inflammatory markers (except soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) were similar in simultaneous pancreas–kidney and type 1 diabetic kidney recipients. Improved endothelial function in type 1 diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease after simultaneous pancreas–kidney compared to kidney transplantation is associated with normalisation of glucose metabolism but not with improvement in plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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