Periodic Reporting for period 1 - trans4num (Transformation for sustainable nutrient supply and management)
Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-05-31
trans4num aspires to substantiate and broadly promote Nature-based solution (NBS) innovations for sustainable agriculture in Europe and China. In particular, trans4num focuses on nutrient management and will 1) develop a differentiated understanding of NBS potentials for achieving sustainable agricultural practices, 2) study the complexities of applying NBS, 3) develop a dynamic and smart nutrient management tool to support regional decision making for optimum nutrient supply, and 4) assess the (net) impact of technological and social innovations as well as policies related to NBS. To realize its objectives, trans4num uses a social-ecological transformation framework tailored to study 20 NBS farm level innovations in 7 regions with intensive farming systems. The project implements the multi-actor approach to consider various societal concerns and interests related to NBS in agricultural nutrient management and to identify promising transformation pathways for social innovations conducive to a wider acceptance and adoption of NBS. trans4num will bring together experience, expertise and knowledge across different fields, technologies and disciplines from Europe and China and apply a range of methods and formats to advance and foster NBS implementation prospects. Its outcomes are expected to contribute to the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork, and Zero Pollution ambition strategies as well as China’s policy: the 14th Five-Year Planning for Green Agriculture Development strategy.
trans4num has successfully established its conceptual and practical foundations, focusing on inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation. Key highlights include:
Under WP1, trans4num-EU developed a comprehensive framework related to NBS and their interrelations. Moreover, a comprehensive documentation (D1.3) of the different NBS sites and their collaborations was compiled. Each site selected and tested NBS innovations, using a systems approach to monitor and assess effects at various levels. Also, two extensive literature review were carried out on 1) transformation pathways and factors influencing NBS adoption, and 2) best practices in transdisciplinary stakeholder engagement (D1.4). Besides, stakeholder engagement events were conducted in UK and Denmark. trans4num-CN examined key NBS technologies, assessing their impacts on crop growth, soil processes, and the environment through literature reviews and experimental tests. Next, it assessed the feasibility and uncertainties of implementing NBS through long-term tests.
In WP2, trans4num-EU showcased NBS approaches in context of a series of webinars which led to a deeper understanding and acted as a guide for further research. Accordingly, experimental trials was designed and conducted for the first year in the NBS sites located in Hungary, Denmark, the Netherlands and UK. Also, stakeholder engagement meetings focusing on presenting the initial results of trials and involving stakeholders in discussions on effective NBS implementation have been held in all NBS site during this reporting period. Besides, Danish partners, conducted stakeholder interviews and planned a regulatory sandbox for large-scale NBS demonstrations. Trans4num-CN planned similar activities in China, focusing on sustainable cultivation systems and addressed agricultural challenges in China through field trials and sustainable practices.
In the context of WP3, trans4num-EU has developed a data pipeline to collect satellite imagery, weather data, and site-specific information for NBS monitoring. Also, based on an extensive review of existing decision support tools (DSTs), two DSTs, were tested with Danish NBS site data. Regionally tailored nutrient management DSTs will be under development during the next reporting period. Moreover, trans4num-EU started the preparation of two hackathons during this reporting period. They will happen in Autumn 2024 in China and Europe with the focus on promoting a socio-ecological shift in agriculture through innovative NBS.
Under WP4, trans4num-EU started the development of an agent-based model (ABM) framework to assess the impacts of innovative NBS adoption. A two-fold modular structure was established, with the Dutch case study selected for core model parametrization. Also, the System-Oriented Land-Use (SOL) model for scenario calculations was set up to assess the lifecycle impacts of agricultural products, focusing on carbon emissions and nutrient cycles. The results of SOL model will be used for stakeholder assessment of NBS transformation pathways. The stakeholder interaction and hypothesized transformation pathways/scenarios has been started in UK NBS sites. trans4num-CN has developed an ABM for northeastern China, simulating the behaviours of stakeholders in NBS adoption. Further, it conducted a comparative analysis of NBS implementation across Europe and China, focusing on environmental impacts, socio-economic benefits, governance structures, and community engagement.
Regarding WP5, trans4num-EU developed a comprehensive dissemination, exploitation, and communication as a living document. Furthermore, for dissemination and communication activities, the social media profiles were created in X and LinkedIn as well as its website being implemented and lunched. Moreover, profiles were created on Zenodo and Oppla to ensure easy access to project results. Also, general communication materials were created.
In WP6, trans4num-EU held various WP, coordination, steering committee, and consortium meetings and established the communication tools for document sharing and to ensure an accurate progress monitoring of the project. During this reporting period, seven deliverables and two Millstones were developed, reviewed, and submitted on time. Also, the coordination ensured accurate pre-financing payments to project partners, guiding the distribution and allocation of funds, and closely monitored expenditures. Moreover, A Data Management Committee was established to oversee and guide the Data Management Plan (D 6.1) which was submitted on schedule. Lastly, strategies were implemented to manage and enhance scientific and communicative cooperation between EU and CN partners.
Under WP1, trans4num-EU developed a comprehensive framework related to NBS and their interrelations. Moreover, a comprehensive documentation (D1.3) of the different NBS sites and their collaborations was compiled. Each site selected and tested NBS innovations, using a systems approach to monitor and assess effects at various levels. Also, two extensive literature review were carried out on 1) transformation pathways and factors influencing NBS adoption, and 2) best practices in transdisciplinary stakeholder engagement (D1.4). Besides, stakeholder engagement events were conducted in UK and Denmark. trans4num-CN examined key NBS technologies, assessing their impacts on crop growth, soil processes, and the environment through literature reviews and experimental tests. Next, it assessed the feasibility and uncertainties of implementing NBS through long-term tests.
In WP2, trans4num-EU showcased NBS approaches in context of a series of webinars which led to a deeper understanding and acted as a guide for further research. Accordingly, experimental trials was designed and conducted for the first year in the NBS sites located in Hungary, Denmark, the Netherlands and UK. Also, stakeholder engagement meetings focusing on presenting the initial results of trials and involving stakeholders in discussions on effective NBS implementation have been held in all NBS site during this reporting period. Besides, Danish partners, conducted stakeholder interviews and planned a regulatory sandbox for large-scale NBS demonstrations. Trans4num-CN planned similar activities in China, focusing on sustainable cultivation systems and addressed agricultural challenges in China through field trials and sustainable practices.
In the context of WP3, trans4num-EU has developed a data pipeline to collect satellite imagery, weather data, and site-specific information for NBS monitoring. Also, based on an extensive review of existing decision support tools (DSTs), two DSTs, were tested with Danish NBS site data. Regionally tailored nutrient management DSTs will be under development during the next reporting period. Moreover, trans4num-EU started the preparation of two hackathons during this reporting period. They will happen in Autumn 2024 in China and Europe with the focus on promoting a socio-ecological shift in agriculture through innovative NBS.
Under WP4, trans4num-EU started the development of an agent-based model (ABM) framework to assess the impacts of innovative NBS adoption. A two-fold modular structure was established, with the Dutch case study selected for core model parametrization. Also, the System-Oriented Land-Use (SOL) model for scenario calculations was set up to assess the lifecycle impacts of agricultural products, focusing on carbon emissions and nutrient cycles. The results of SOL model will be used for stakeholder assessment of NBS transformation pathways. The stakeholder interaction and hypothesized transformation pathways/scenarios has been started in UK NBS sites. trans4num-CN has developed an ABM for northeastern China, simulating the behaviours of stakeholders in NBS adoption. Further, it conducted a comparative analysis of NBS implementation across Europe and China, focusing on environmental impacts, socio-economic benefits, governance structures, and community engagement.
Regarding WP5, trans4num-EU developed a comprehensive dissemination, exploitation, and communication as a living document. Furthermore, for dissemination and communication activities, the social media profiles were created in X and LinkedIn as well as its website being implemented and lunched. Moreover, profiles were created on Zenodo and Oppla to ensure easy access to project results. Also, general communication materials were created.
In WP6, trans4num-EU held various WP, coordination, steering committee, and consortium meetings and established the communication tools for document sharing and to ensure an accurate progress monitoring of the project. During this reporting period, seven deliverables and two Millstones were developed, reviewed, and submitted on time. Also, the coordination ensured accurate pre-financing payments to project partners, guiding the distribution and allocation of funds, and closely monitored expenditures. Moreover, A Data Management Committee was established to oversee and guide the Data Management Plan (D 6.1) which was submitted on schedule. Lastly, strategies were implemented to manage and enhance scientific and communicative cooperation between EU and CN partners.
While trans4num is still in its early stages, initial results show promising developments. In Hungary, testing NBS approaches to address climate change, biodiversity, and pollution challenges is prioritized. Increased social acceptance of NBS through demonstrated environmental, social, and economic benefits is expected. In the Netherlands, further research into mow fertilizers is necessary, and organic trials indicate potential use without substantial yield loss. In the UK, initial results show significant cropping system effects on productivity, with conventional practices currently outperforming reduced tillage and smart crop protection.