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Li, T., Li, W., Yi, J., Wang, Y., Yu, C., Rees, R.M., Winiwarter, W. 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7131-1496, de Vries, W., & Ju, X.
(2025).
A multi-level integration framework for sustainable nitrogen management in tropical agriculture.
One Earth 8 (5) e101308. 10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101308.
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) loss and inefficiency threaten both food security and environmental sustainability in tropical agriculture. Despite growing N inputs, many tropical systems suffer from low N use efficiency (NUE) and high pollution due to poor management. Aligning agricultural productivity with environmental safety remains a major challenge, given the lack of integrated, context-specific decision-support approaches. Here, we present a systematic multi-level integration framework to assess the N carrying capacity required to meet crop productivity while staying within safe N surplus limits, enabling a hierarchy of strategic interventions—including N fertilizer quotas, 4R-plus stewardship, and integrated crop-livestock systems. Using Hainan Island, China, as a representative case, we demonstrate that achieving N carrying capacity, target NUE levels, and halving N losses requires combining optimized cropland management with enhanced internal nutrient recycling. Scenario analysis shows that integrated strategies can increase NUE by up to 26 percentage points (from 23% to 49%) and reduce synthetic N input by nearly 50%. This work offers a scalable pathway to support evidence-based technological and policy solutions for sustainable N management in tropical agriculture.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Research Programs: | Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) > Pollution Management (PM) |
| Depositing User: | Luke Kirwan |
| Date Deposited: | 26 May 2025 07:48 |
| Last Modified: | 26 May 2025 07:48 |
| URI: | https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/20624 |
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