Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Conversion from improved pasture to arable exacerbates unintended environmental consequences: Evidence from the North Wyke Farm Platform, UK

Yafei Guo; Adrian L. Collins; Yusheng Zhang; Alison Carswell; Carmen Segura; Andrew Mead; Louise Olde; Nadine Loick; Laura Cardenas

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment · 2026

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Summary

This field-based study from the North Wyke Farm Platform presents empirical evidence of environmental trade-offs arising from conversion of improved pasture systems to arable production in temperate UK conditions. The research quantifies negative impacts across multiple environmental compartments—soil, water, atmosphere, and nutrient cycling—suggesting that such land-use intensification warrants comprehensive environmental assessment prior to implementation. The findings contribute evidence to inform sustainability evaluation of agricultural land-use change decisions.

UK applicability

The study is conducted directly within the United Kingdom at a long-term research platform and therefore has direct applicability to UK farming policy and practice. Findings are highly relevant to UK agricultural intensification decisions and may inform agri-environment scheme design and land-use planning guidance in temperate climates.

Key measures

As suggested by the title and journal scope, likely measurements include soil quality indicators, water quality/runoff metrics, greenhouse gas emissions, and nutrient cycling rates; specific metrics inferred but not confirmed without abstract

Outcomes reported

The study quantified environmental impacts across soil, water, atmosphere, and nutrient cycling compartments resulting from conversion of improved pasture to arable production. The research documents multiple unintended negative consequences of this land-use intensification at a long-term experimental farm platform.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil health assessment & monitoring
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.agee.2026.110480
Catalogue ID
NRmouq2gm2-001

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