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A global index to measure crop commodity impacts on nature

Jwaideh, Mark Anthony Abdulmassih; (2023) A global index to measure crop commodity impacts on nature. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London). Green open access

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Abstract

This thesis presents the croP environmentaL sustAiNabiliTy index (PLANTdex), one of the first spatially- explicit (5 arcmin resolution) indexes to measure environmental impacts caused by the production of sixteen crop commodities globally. PLANTdex comprises five globally standardised environmental impact indicators developed from robust spatially-explicit environmental models related to climate change, water stress and terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity loss. PLANTdex, indicates spatial variations in production system efficiencies and environmental sensitivities, enabling to locate environmentally sustainable and unsustainable production globally. This thesis found more synergies (e.g., between biodiversity indicators) existed than trade-offs (e.g., between GHG emissions and marine biodiversity loss) existed between indicators. PLANTdex provides significant scientific advancement through spatially analysing multiple environmental impacts rather than resource use intensities attributed to specific crops, particularly biodiversity. Through PLANTDex, the global production vs impact ratio contribution indicator identified regions with greater environmental impacts than the global average impact, these included specific countries such as Indonesia, Turkey & China for crops such as Soybean, Oilpalm, Barley and Wheat. Countries where production for particular crops such as wheat caused impacts less impact than the global average included Ghana, Canada & Kazakhstan. The analysis identified over 32 regions that could collaborate on agricultural management strategies that allows for the exchange of knowledge on sustainable agriculture. PLANTdex has the potential to support initiatives such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and ESG strategies at the due diligence stage. Due to a lack of indicators to measure biodiversity impacts from fertiliser use, this thesis also focuses on improving current methodologies and estimating aquatic biodiversity impacts from excess fertiliser. The outcome identified large spatial differences between the popularly used Nutrient Use Efficiency indicator and aquatic biodiversity impacts. Significant variability existed at different metric stages (efficiency, loading and impacts), which identified the importance of measuring endpoint impacts rather than efficiencies. Life cycle impact assessments (LCIA) are often used to determine the environmental impacts of fertiliser use. However, the lack of suitable methodologies to estimate the fate and transport of nutrients from soils makes crop and regional impact comparisons challenging. Using a newly devised, spatially-explicit nutrient fate and transport model (fate factor, FF), this thesis estimates the global spatial variability of nutrient loss from fertilisation of crops and their impact on aquatic biodiversity, specifically species richness, relative to their quantity of production. The FF is implemented within a current LCIA methodology framework (LC IMPACT) and enhances it.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Qualification: Ph.D
Title: A global index to measure crop commodity impacts on nature
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © The Author 2023. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10183735
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