Agricultural and Environmental Systems

Our research uses modelling, survey, and field-based approaches to improve our understanding of agri-environmental systems, including the management and policy interventions that can influence these systems.

We aim to assess the effects that controllable and uncontrollable factors have on these systems, and also to develop strategies for managing them more productively and sustainably.

Research is conducted in both the UK and overseas, and has addressed adaptation to climate change at the catchment level, modelling of uncertainty, nutrient budgeting and N-loss mitigation, approaches to model simplification, and strategies for managing agricultural systems more sustainably.

Key approaches and expertise

We use representative surveys or field-based observations and experiments to collect data, or draw on existing primary and secondary data sources, including the Farm Business Survey for England and stakeholder engagement across the agrifood chain. We then use these data to construct models of the underlying systems with particular emphasis on the mitigation of negative externalities (greenhouse gases mitigation and removal, nitrate loss, ecotoxicity, pesticide use, biodiversity loss) and considering resulting trade-offs in approaches.

The group have expertise in conducting field-based experiments and studies, conducting surveys with farmers, modelling ecosystems, and working closely with a range of stakeholder groups. Research is conducted collaboratively within the group and also with the wider research community within the University of Nottingham, plus national and international collaborators (for example, British Beet Research Organisation, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Processors and Growers Research Organisation, University of Cambridge, Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology Research Institute (SMARTRI), IPB University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Wild Asia).

Current projects

• Remote sensing and machine learning for field-scale prediction of maturity and yield in vining pea (Pisum sativum L.) (Crout and Sparkes).
• Learning from each other to cope with crisis: utilising insights from Covid-19 on dietary health and sustainability (Stetkiewicz).
• A Biochar Demonstration Programme Addressing Uncertainties over Permanency of Storage, Environmental Health and Soil Impacts (West and Wilson).
• The Farm Business Survey for England (Wilson). Within this project farmer actions and attitudes towards risk management and agri-environmental management have been captured.
• Developing strategies for more sustainable management of industrial and smallholder oil palm plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia (Luke). Using large-scale, long-term field experiments, and observational studies, we are testing the effects of different agricultural management techniques on biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and yield.

Significant results

• Development of a farm level yield improvement tool for the UK sugar beet industry.
• Development of the Farm-adapt farm level model, examining issues of uncertainly in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, and farm adaptation strategies to climate change. 
• Analysis of field and farm-scale N-loss mitigation strategies
• Datasets of national and international importance from the Farm Business Survey for England, providing evidence based policy development for the UK Agriculture Act 2020. 
• Development of novel metrics of Sustainable Intensification (SI) and delivery of a SI benchmarking tool.