Summary
This paper introduces a quantitative analytical framework to assess nutrient flow circularity in modern food systems, applied to the Okanagan bioregion in British Columbia. The study demonstrates that the framework is effective for diagnosing nutrient management challenges and informing policy, particularly by flagging systematic neglect of organic residual management and the role of large feed and food imports in nutrient cycle disruption. The findings suggest that comprehensive nutrient recovery and reuse strategies are essential for developing sustainable food and bioeconomy systems.
Regional applicability
The Okanagan study is geographically distant from the United Kingdom, but the analytical framework and findings regarding nutrient circularity challenges—particularly the underutilisation of organic residuals due to cheap synthetic fertilizers and food imports—are directly transferable to UK food system planning and nutrient management policy.
Key measures
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium nutrient flows; openness of nutrient cycles; nutrient loss rates; dependence on synthetic fertilizers and external nutrient inputs
Outcomes reported
The study quantitatively assessed flows of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium across the Okanagan bioregion's food system using a novel analytical framework. The assessment identified nutrient losses and dependence on mined fertilizers, highlighting the importance of organic residual management for nutrient recovery and reuse.
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