Greenhouse gas mitigation potentials in the livestock sector
The global livestock sector supports about 1.3 billion producers and retailers, and contributes 40–50% of agricultural GDP. We estimated that between 1995 and 2005, the livestock sector was…
Why Danish pig farms have far more land and pigs than Dutch farms? Implications for feed supply, manure recycling and production costs
An average Danish pig farm has 3500 pigs, 170 ha of agricultural land, whereas a typical Dutch pig farm has 2500 pigs with only 10 ha. The main factors for the contrasting development are a stronger…
Negative global phosphorus budgets challenge sustainable intensification of grasslands
Except for grassland soils in some northwestern European countries, grassland soils in most of the world have been exhausted over recent decades, particularly by exporting more phosphorus that is…
Nitrogen on the table: the influence of food choices on nitrogen emissions and the European environment
Current European diets are characterised by a high intake of meat, dairy products and eggs, leading to an intake of saturated fat and red meat that exceeds health recommendations. Livestock production…
Impacts of European livestock production: nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus and greenhouse gas emissions, land-use, water eutrophication and biodiversity
Livestock production systems currently occupy around 28% of the land surface of the European Union (equivalent to 65% of the agricultural land). In conjunction with other human activities, livestock…
Nutrient load estimates for Manila Bay, Philippines using population data
A major source of nutrient load to periodically hypoxic Manila Bay is the urban nutrient waste water flow from humans and industries to surface water. In Manila alone, the population density is as…
Projections of the availability and cost of residues from agriculture and forestry
By-products of agricultural and forestry processes, known as residues, may act as a primary source of renewable energy. Studies assessing the availability of this resource so far offer few insights on…
Global impacts of surface ozone changes on crop yields and land use
Exposure to surface ozone has detrimental impacts on vegetation and crop yields. In this study, we estimate ozone impacts on crop production and subsequent impacts on land use in the 2005–2050 period…
Losses of Ammonia and Nitrate from Agriculture and Their Effect on Nitrogen Recovery in the European Union and the United States between 1900 and 2050
Historical trends and levels of nitrogen (N) budgets and emissions to air and water in the European Union and the United States are markedly different. Agro-environmental policy approaches also differ…
Nitrogen use and food production in European regions from a global perspective
Current production systems for crops, meat, dairy and bioenergy in the European Union (EU) rely strongly on the external input of nitrogen (N). The current paper reviews key features of the complex…
PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
