A methodology for integrated economic and environmental analysis of pollution from agriculture

• Published in: Agricultural systems Vol. 88; no. 2; pp. 270 - 293
• Main Authors: Vatn, Arild, Bakken, Lars, Bleken, Marina A., Baadshaug, Ole Hans, Fykse, Haldor, Haugen, Lars E., Lundekvam, Helge, Morken, John, Romstad, Eirik, Rørstad, Per Kristian, Skjelvåg, Arne O., Sogn, Trine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2006; Elsevier
• Series: Agricultural Systems
• Subjects: emissions; Erosion; Interdisciplinary analyses; Nutrient emissions; Partitioning; Pesticide use; Policy analyses; policy analysis; pollution; Pollution from agriculture; soil erosion; Nutrient emissions; Interdisciplinary analyses; Partitioning; Pesticide use; Pollution from agriculture; Policy analyses; Erosion
• ISSN: 0308-521X; 1873-2267
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2005.04.002

This paper presents a methodology for analyzing the effect of policies focused at reducing pollution from agriculture. Such a methodology must take into account that agricultural pollution is an effect of a large set of interacting processes, covers many different substances, and may vary substantially due to shifts in natural and economic conditions. Thus, the methodology must both cover the specificities of the different processes/disciplines involved and foster integration across these in a consistent way. The basic challenge is to cover the non-linear fine-scale variations at different levels of land-based production systems. Our methodology is founded on the idea of partitioning. It implies structuring and simplifying existing variation in space and time into partitions that are considered homogeneous. These partitions are organized in a hierarchy, and the different processes involved are modeled at the relevant level. We have concluded that analyses with fairly high level of resolution are preferable. This way it is also possible to combine a systems perspective with disciplinary integrity. A modeling structure – ECECMOD (2.0) – based on the developed principles is documented. The paper also shows the ability of this structure to simulate choice of farming practices and emissions that are well in accordance with observations from four Norwegian regions with very different agricultural and natural conditions.