Environmental performance of organic farming

2011 ◽  
pp. 183-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Schader ◽  
Matthias Stolze ◽  
Andreas Gattinger
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Environmental Performance

The effect of biogas digestion on the environmental impact and energy balances in organic cropping systems using the life-cycle assessment methodology

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Michel ◽  
Achim Weiske ◽  
Kurt Möller
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Impact Categories ◽  
Biogas Digestion ◽  
Liquid Slurry

AbstractA life-cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out to compare the environmental performance of different organic cropping systems with and without digestion of slurry and crop residues. The aims of the present study are: (1) to compare the environmental performance of organic farming dairy systems with the currently prevalent animal housing systems [solid farmyard manure (FYM) versus liquid slurry] as the main reference systems; (2) to analyze the effect of the implementation of a biogas digestion system on the consumption of fossil fuels and production of electrical energy; (3) to quantify the effects of the implementation of a biogas digestion system on the environment; and (4) to compare the obtained net energy yields with other means of obtaining energy by using the farmland area. The considered impact categories are greenhouse gas (GHG) balances, acidification, eutrophication and groundwater pollution. LCA results indicated that total emissions in systems based on FYM are much higher than in liquid slurry systems for most of the considered impact categories. The benefits of digestion of stable wastes in comparison with the reference system without digestion are mainly (1) the net reduction of the emissions of GHG and (2) energy recovery from produced biogas, while the disadvantages can be higher emissions of NH3 after spreading. The effects of additional biogas digestion of biomass such as crop residues (e.g., straw of peas and cereals) and cover crops are: (1) an optimization of the N-cycle and therewith higher yields; (2) higher energy production per unit arable land; (3) a further reduction of the GHG balance; but (4) higher N-related environmental burdens like eutrophication and acidification. The offsets of fossil fuel emissions were the largest GHG sink in most of the biogas digestion systems. The inclusion of a biogas plant into organic cropping systems and the use of the available wastes for production of energy largely increased the overall productivity of the farming system and matched very well the basic principles of organic farming such as a high self-sufficiency of the cropping system and reducing as much as possible the environmental impact of farming.

Legal framework for improvement of agroecology by cultivating jerusalem artichoke

2020 ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Mykhailo Kosmii ◽  
Vasyl. Kasiianchuk ◽  
Ruslan Zhyrak ◽  
Ivan Krykhovetskyi
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Jerusalem Artichoke ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Scientific Cognition

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and research the legal mechanisms which make it possible to improve agroecology through the organization of cultivation of Jerusalem artichoke.Methodology. The methodology includes comprehensive analysis and generalization of available scientific, theoretical, practical and applied material and development of relevant conclusions and recommendations. During the research, the following methods of scientific cognition were used: dialectical, terminological, historical and legal, logical and normative, systemic and structural, functional, normative and dogmatic, generalization methods. Results. The process of analysis and research highlighted the possibilities of cultivating Jerusalem artichoke for improving agroecology, namely improving the ecological state of the atmosphere air and soil, preparing them for organic farming. The article contains examples of practical application of tubers of Jerusalem artichoke and herbage for the production of therapeutic and prophylactic products, alternative energy and highly efficient building materials. Scientific novelty. The study found that the authors summarized and systematized the levels of legal regulation in the field of using Jerusalem artichoke for improving agroecology, preparing soil for organic farming, in particular: the inter-sectoral level which covers the interaction of agricultural and environmental law in terms of cultivation and use of Jerusalem artichoke; the level of integrated environmental and legal regulation; level of individual resource (floristic) legal regulation; the level of environmental protection (anthropoprotection) legislation.Practical importance. The results of the study can be used in law-making and environmental protection activities related to issues of cultivating and using the Jerusalem artichoke as a means of improving agroecology.

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