Summary
This paper presents a novel analytical framework for assessing the circularity of nutrient flows within regional food systems, applied to the Okanagan bioregion in British Columbia. The study quantified flows of four key nutrients (N, P, K, Mg) and demonstrated that systematic management of organic residuals is critical for improving nutrient recovery and reducing reliance on finite mined deposits and synthetic fertilisers. The framework is proposed as a diagnostic tool to inform nutrient management policies in bioregional food 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
Nutrient flow circularity indices for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium; assessment of openness of nutrient flows; quantification of nutrient losses and recovery potentials
Outcomes reported
The study quantitatively assessed nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium flows across the Okanagan bioregion's food system using a novel analytical framework. The assessment identified nutrient losses and demonstrated how managing organic residuals could reduce dependence on mined and synthetic fertiliser sources.
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.