Summary
This narrative review by Godfray, Poore, and Ritchie synthesises peer-reviewed evidence on the complex, interacting systemic pressures affecting global croplands within a unified conceptual framework. The work examines climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and competing land demands, emphasising how these pressures act simultaneously and compound to constrain both food security and environmental integrity. The review offers a comprehensive perspective on the accelerating, multifaceted challenges facing sustainable agriculture globally.
UK applicability
The framework and evidence synthesis have direct relevance to UK agricultural policy and practice, particularly for understanding pressures on UK cereal and mixed farming systems. UK policymakers and land managers can apply these systemic insights to design more resilient and sustainable farming practices within the context of national climate commitments and environmental land management schemes.
Key measures
Qualitative synthesis of evidence on climate impacts, soil degradation indicators, biodiversity loss, and land-use competition pressures on croplands
Outcomes reported
The study synthesises peer-reviewed evidence on multiple interacting systemic pressures affecting global croplands, including climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and competing land demands. It presents a unified conceptual framework for understanding how these pressures act simultaneously to constrain food security and environmental integrity.
Topic tags
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