نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 گروه بیولوژی، دانشکده زیستشناسی سلولی و مولکولی، دانشگاه بن، بن، آلمان
2 گروه اگروتکنولوژی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Introduction: In recent decades, growth of urban population is resulted to numerous challenges in food security and environmental sustainability. Urban agriculture has emerged as one of the effective solutions for achieving sustainable food systems. Given the importance of environmental impacts in urban agriculture, it is essential to use precise scientific methods to assess the sustainability of these systems. This study is aimed to evaluate the environmental impacts of urban agriculture in Mashhad using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method and to minimize the environmental impacts of these systems by optimizing the inputs level.
Material and methods: This research was conducted at Barakat Park urban agriculture site, consisting of nine agricultural plots. Data related to the consumption of fertilizers, water, energy, and other agricultural inputs were collected through field observations. To assess the environmental impacts of these plots, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was employed. Key impact categories such as global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and toxicity potentials were calculated based on standard methods. The relationship between production inputs and the calculated impacts were analyzed with multivariate regression and the final model was used for optimization of inputs level to achieve the minimum environmental impacts.
Results and discussion: The results demonstrated significant variability in environmental impacts across different plots. Plot 8 exhibited the highest environmental impact, mainly due to its small size and inefficient resource management, while Plot 1 had the lowest one, indicating better sustainability practices. Regression analysis revealed that plot size, water consumption, and crop yield were key factors influencing environmental impacts. Optimization results suggested that a plot size of approximately 170 m², with water consumption of 8,400 m³/ha and a yield of 18.3 t/ha, minimized all three major impact categories. Under these conditions, water productivity reached 2.2 kg/m³. Achieving this level of efficiency in urban agriculture, particularly in low-input systems, is feasible through optimized water management and sustainable agricultural practices.
Conclusion: Urban agriculture, despite some environmental challenges, has significant potential for ensuring food security in urban areas. This study highlights the necessity of effective resource management and reducing environmental impacts in urban agriculture, particularly in Mashhad. The findings indicate that optimized resource management can substantially mitigate environmental impacts while enhancing agricultural productivity. In this study, the environmental effects were assessed throughout the agricultural production process. However, one of the key advantages of urban agriculture is its ability to reduce reliance on long food supply chains, which plays a crucial role in minimizing environmental pollution. Additionally, most environmental assessments often overlook the socio-economic benefits of urban agriculture, such as improved community engagement, and enhanced well-being. Considering these aspects in future research—alongside effective management strategies to mitigate negative impacts—can facilitate the sustainable expansion of urban agriculture, particularly in metropolitan areas. The insights from this study can assist policymakers and urban planners in developing strategies for sustainable urban agriculture, enhancing food security, and preserving natural resources.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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