Land use modelling needs to better account for multiple cropping to inform pathways for sustainable agriculture

Waha, K., Folberth, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6738-5238, Biemans, H., Boere, E., Bondeau, A., Hartley, A.J., Hoogenboom, G., Jaegermeyr, J., Liu, Y., Mathison, C., Müller, C., Nkwasa, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8685-8854, Olin, S., Ruane, A.C., De Vos, K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4607-7877, White, J.W., Williams, K., & Yu, Q. (2025). Land use modelling needs to better account for multiple cropping to inform pathways for sustainable agriculture. Communications Earth & Environment 6 (1) e756. 10.1038/s43247-025-02724-0.

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Abstract

Multiple cropping, the simultaneous cultivation of several crops in space or time, is a global practice essential for intensifying and diversifying agriculture. Despite its substantial impact on environmental and socioeconomic outcomes of farming, multiple cropping is hardly accounted for in assessments of global food production, sustainability, and climate impacts. Such studies, often relying on modelling of cropping systems, land use change, and eventually the Earth system, are of growing importance in decision-making and policymaking. However, they primarily assume monocropping, neglecting carryover effects between crops and their implications for land use. This limitation compromises the representativeness of these studies and the conclusions they draw, essentially overlooking a substantial option space for sustainable intensification, nature-based solutions, and resulting land-atmosphere feedback. Herein, we outline the relevance of multiple cropping, reflect on its consideration in land-use models, and identify development requirements to enhance their inclusion in informing policymaking for sustainable food systems.

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