Quantitative assessment of benefits and losses from the influence of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on cropland ecosystems in China

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 949; p. 175120
• Main Authors: Zhang, Liuzhen, Zhang, Xiuying, Zhou, Haisheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Atmospheric nitrogen deposition; China; Cropland ecosystems; Damage cost; Economic benefit; Atmospheric nitrogen deposition; Economic benefit; Damage cost; Cropland ecosystems; China
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175120

China is facing severe atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. Assessing the economic benefits and damage costs induced by N deposition can help to develop effective mitigation strategies for N emissions. A net economic benefit method was used to assess the economic impact of N deposition in cropland ecosystems in China in 2020. The results showed that atmospheric N deposition gained an economic benefit of $4896.0 million through increased yields of major grain crops and a climate benefit of $1259.3 million through cooling effects. On the other hand, N deposition induced economic losses of $6257.1 and $1063.4 million, respectively to human health and ecosystem health; excessive N deposition induced damages of $137.8 million due to reduced crop yields and $168.4 million due to the increased greenhouse gas emissions. In general, the net economic benefit was -$1471.5 million (−$5324.7 ∼ $921.4 million), indicating that China is suffering economic losses due to N deposition in cropland ecosystems. These results would provide scientific data for the government to enact efficient measures to reduce N pollution. [Display omitted] •Assessing the economic impact of N deposition in 2020 using a net benefit method•N deposition resulted in $6155.3 million in economic benefits•N deposition induced $7626.8 million in damage costs•Net economic benefits from N deposition were −$5324.7 ∼ $921.4 million.