Summary
This 2018 Nature Sustainability paper, authored by a multidisciplinary consortium including agricultural, ecological, and soil scientists, presents a global assessment of how farming systems can be redesigned to achieve sustainable intensification. The work synthesises evidence on system-level interventions—spanning soil management, crop diversification, integrated pest management, and landscape approaches—as pathways to reconcile productivity with environmental stewardship. As suggested by the author expertise and journal scope, the assessment likely evaluated trade-offs, enablers, and regional applicability of redesign strategies across diverse agro-ecological and socioeconomic contexts.
UK applicability
The findings are likely applicable to United Kingdom farming policy and practice, particularly regarding the integration of environmental outcomes (soil health, biodiversity, water quality) with food production efficiency. The UK's Agricultural Bill and Environmental Land Management schemes draw on similar sustainable intensification principles, though local adaptation to UK soil types, climate, and market structures would be necessary.
Key measures
As suggested by the title and authorship, likely metrics include sustainability indicators, intensification outcomes, soil health measures, and environmental performance across diverse agricultural systems.
Outcomes reported
The study assessed agricultural system redesign approaches globally, likely evaluating their potential to achieve sustainable intensification across multiple farming contexts and regions. It synthesised evidence on how farming systems can be reconfigured to improve environmental and productivity outcomes.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.