ASABE Technical Library - Abstract

Developing a Strategic Network to Address the Global Challenges of Agricultural Land and Soil Management to Adapt to Climate Change

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Soil Erosion Research Under a Changing Climate, January 8-13, 2023, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, USA  .(doi:10.13031/soil.23099)
Authors:   Anita M Thompson, Debasmita Misra, Majdi Abou Najm, Francisco Arriaga, Tala Awada, Bassel Daher, Khalil Dirani, Rabi Mohtar, Arthur L Nash, Jr, Prem B Parajuli, Gretchen Sassenrath
Keywords:   Agriculture, Climate, Evidence-based decision-making, Mitigation, Network of networks, Soil, Water security, Food security.

Abstract

Agricultural land and soil (ALS) systems face complex and interacting socio-ecological challenges and tradeoffs. These systems play a critical role in food and water security and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Improving the resilience of complex ALS systems is a societal grand challenge that requires cross-disciplinary research collaboration and cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement. We have established a network of researchers and practitioners who have been meeting for the past two years to discuss ways to leverage research and educational resources on food and water security to address challenges associated with adapting climate change mitigation strategies in ALS systems.

Within the U.S., our network includes universities that are geographically distributed along the climate gradient, with each location addressing unique local land and soil management challenges. These locations include University of Wisconsin-Madison, Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M University, Mississippi State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State University, University of California-Davis, and University of Alaska Fairbanks. In August 2021, we conducted a virtual workshop, The Role of Agriculture, Land, and Soil Management in Climate Change Reversal: Partnership Building and Proposal Co-creation. The overarching goal of the workshop was to develop a common platform for knowledge, data, information and experience sharing to determine how soil management strategies could improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience in land and agricultural systems that could potentially reverse climate change. One outcome of the workshop and the follow-up discussions was an expanded network that now includes individuals affiliated with UN FAO, CGIAR-IWMI, NEMEDUSSA, LTAR-USDA, Global EverGreening Alliance, German Agricultural Society, Global Landscape Forum, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Circumpolar Agricultural Association, Soil Health Institute, Indian Council for Agricultural Research, US Biochar Initiative, and institutions in Canada, Finland, Germany, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Benin, Russia, Ethiopia, India, Costa Rica, and Kenya. During the workshop, we identified existing knowledge gaps that such a network can address; assessed the state of the science, existing barriers, and opportunities under each topic; and discussed potential mechanisms for building the network and collaboration among networks on the identified topics.

We will present the outcome of the workshop and our vision to develop a network of networks that will support broader strategic collaboration and team building among U.S. research networks, complimentary global networks, professional society networks, and social networks to develop strategic plans to address the challenges associated with adapting climate change mitigation strategies in ALS systems. This partnership will cross institutional boundaries and engage diverse stakeholders. It will include consumers and industry partners, in both developed and developing nations, in the scientific discovery and implementation processes to build a plan for putting knowledge into action. We will integrate biophysical, social, economic, and behavioral sciences that will enhance the knowledge to action plan.

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