Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1038/s41467-019-10775-z
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Global impacts of future cropland expansion and intensification on agricultural markets and biodiversity
Author Zabel, F.; Delzeit, R.; Schneider, J.M.; Seppelt, R.; Mauser, W.; Václavík, T.
Source Titel Nature Communications
Year 2019
Department CLE; iDiv
Volume 10
Page From art. 2844
Language englisch
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41467-019-10775-z/MediaObjects/41467_2019_10775_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
UFZ wide themes GLUES;
Abstract With rising demand for biomass, cropland expansion and intensification represent the main strategies to boost agricultural production, but are also major drivers of biodiversity decline. We investigate the consequences of attaining equal global production gains by 2030, either by cropland expansion or intensification, and analyse their impacts on agricultural markets and biodiversity. We find that both scenarios lead to lower crop prices across the world, even in regions where production decreases. Cropland expansion mostly affects biodiversity hotspots in Central and South America, while cropland intensification threatens biodiversity especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, India and China. Our results suggest that production gains will occur at the costs of biodiversity predominantly in developing tropical regions, while Europe and North America benefit from lower world market prices without putting their own biodiversity at risk. By identifying hotspots of potential future conflicts, we demonstrate where conservation prioritization is needed to balance agricultural production with conservation goals.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=21977
Zabel, F., Delzeit, R., Schneider, J.M., Seppelt, R., Mauser, W., Václavík, T. (2019):
Global impacts of future cropland expansion and intensification on agricultural markets and biodiversity
Nat. Commun. 10 , art. 2844 10.1038/s41467-019-10775-z