Whole-Systems Analysis of Environmental and Economic Sustainability in Arable Cropping Systems: A Case Study

The long-term sustainability of crop production depends on the complex network of
interactions and trade-os between biotic, abiotic and economic components of agroecosystems. An
integrated arable management system was designed to maintain yields, whilst enhancing biodiversity
and minimising environmental impact. Management interventions included conservation tillage
and organic matter incorporation for soil biophysical health, reduced crop protection inputs and
integrated pest management strategies for enhanced biodiversity and ecosystem functions, and
intercropping, cover cropping and under-sowing to achieve more sustainable nutrient management.
This system was compared directly with standard commercial practice in a split-field experimental
design over a six-year crop rotation. The eect of the cropping treatment was assessed according to
the responses of a suite of indicators, which were used to parameterise a qualitative multi-attribute
model. Scenarios were run to test whether the integrated cropping system achieved greater levels
of overall sustainability relative to standard commercial practice. Overall sustainability was rated
high for both integrated and conventional management of bean, barley and wheat crops. Winter
oilseed crops scored medium for both cropping systems and potatoes scored very low under standard
management but achieved a medium level of sustainability with integrated management. In general,
high scores for environmental sustainability in integrated cropping systems were oset by low scores
for economic sustainability relative to standard commercial practice. This case study demonstrates
the value of a ‘whole cropping systems’ approach using qualitative multi-attribute modelling for the
assessment of existing cropping systems and for predicting the likely impact of new management
interventions on arable sustainability.