A novel seasonal-spatial integrated model for improving the economic-environmental performance of crop production

Abstract

Excess agricultural nitrogen, mainly from manure and chemical fertilizers, is a primary source of nutrient pollution and presents serious environmental threats to natural ecosystems and human health. Improvements in nitrogen-use efficiency in crop production are critical for addressing the triple challenge of food insecurity, environmental degradation, and climate change. Approaches such as sustainable intensification that stress technological innovations have received the most attention. But science-based cropland use planning, a promising complementary approach, has so far been largely overlooked. Here we develop a spatially integrated economic-ecological modeling method to assess this previously unexplored potential for improving the economic-environmental performance of crop production by examining the seasonal and spatial implications of cropland and fertilizer use in Bangladesh. In doing so, we aim to make the modeling method accessible to researchers and practitioners interested in achieving the dual goal of food production and environmental sustainability for countries that are characterized by seasonal and spatial variations in crop mix and cropping practices.-The modeling method combines economic and ecological models to explore trade-offs between food security and environmental sustainability.-The modeling method considers both spatial and seasonal dimensions when measuring trade-offs.-The modeling method is highly suitable for adaptation to study topics concerning food security-ecosystem service trade-offs or to inform the design of related models.