Transforming cities introduction securing food and clean waterways through a transdisciplinary phosphorus approach

Dana Cordell, Geneviève S. Metson, David M. Iwaniec, Thuy T. Bui, Daniel L. Childers, Nguyet Dao, Huyen T.T. Dang, Save Kumwenda, Tracy Morse, Bernard Thole, Elizabeth A. Tilley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

As an essential input to crop growth via soil reserves or fertilizer, phosphorus underpins global food security. Without phosphorus, food could not be produced, yet phosphorus is mined from finite reserves, most of which are controlled by only a few countries. Fertilizer prices are likely to increase as finite reserves become critically scarce. Globally, a billion farmers and their families cannot access fertilizer markets and many rely on phosphorus-deficient soils that produce low crop yields. Moreover, mismanagement along the phosphorus supply chain from mine to field to fork has resulted in massive losses and waste, which largely ends up in waterways, causing nutrient pollution and algal blooms. The global phosphorus challenge is inherently complex; it is as much about international relations as farm soil fertility. It transcends disciplines, sectors, and scales - from geopolitics to ecology to nutrition. In this chapter, we describe and reflect upon a new project using a novel transdisciplinary approach to address this phosphorus challenge.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTransdisciplinary Research and Practice for Sustainable Outcomes
Place of PublicationAbingdon
PublisherRoutledge, Taylor & Francis Group
Chapter10
Pages139-154
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9781138119703
Publication statusPublished - 2 Nov 2017

Keywords

  • clean waterways
  • phosphorus
  • sustainable farming

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