Environmental Studies and Forestry

Physical and virtual nutrient flows in global telecoupled agricultural trade networks

X. Chen, Y. Hou, et al.

This study, conducted by Xiuzhi Chen, Yue Hou, Thomas Kastner, Liu Liu, Yuqian Zhang, Tuo Yin, Mo Li, Arunima Malik, Mengyu Li, Kelly R. Thorp, Siqi Han, Yaoze Liu, Tahir Muhammad, Jianguo Liu, and Yunkai Li, reveals significant insights into the global agricultural trade's role in nitrogen and phosphorus flows over two decades. The findings highlight crucial trends that underscore the need for improved efficiency in nutrient utilization and environmental sustainability.

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Abstract

Global agricultural trade generates telecoupled flows of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). This study quantifies physical and virtual N and P flows in global agricultural trade networks from 1997 to 2016, revealing continuous increases. Over 25% of global nutrient consumption in agricultural products stemmed from physical flows, while virtual flows equaled one-third of global agricultural nutrient inputs. These flows positively impact global N and P resource conservation. Reducing inefficient trade flows is crucial for resource conservation and environmental sustainability.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Apr 26, 2023

Authors

Xiuzhi Chen, Yue Hou, Thomas Kastner, Liu Liu, Yuqian Zhang, Tuo Yin, Mo Li, Arunima Malik, Mengyu Li, Kelly R. Thorp, Siqi Han, Yaoze Liu, Tahir Muhammad, Jianguo Liu, Yunkai Li

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