The Extension of Vegetable Production to High Altitudes Increases the Environmental Cost and Decreases Economic Benefits in Subtropical Regions

Tao Liang, Weilin Tao, Yan Wang, Na Zhou, Wei Hu, Tao Zhang, Dunxiu Liao, Xinping Chen and Xiaozhong Wang ()
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Tao Liang: Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, China
Weilin Tao: Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, China
Yan Wang: Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, China
Na Zhou: Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, China
Wei Hu: Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, China
Tao Zhang: Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, China
Dunxiu Liao: Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, China
Xinping Chen: College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
Xiaozhong Wang: College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: Global warming has driven the expansion of cultivated land to high-altitude areas. Intensive vegetable production, which is generally considered to be a high economic value and high environmental risk system, has expanded greatly in high-altitude mountainous areas of China. However, the environmental cost of vegetable production in these areas is poorly understood. In this study, pepper production at low (traditional pepper production area) and high (newly expanded area) altitudes were investigated in Shizhu, a typical pepper crop area. The output and environmental cost at the two altitudes were identified. the influence of resource inputs, climate, and soil properties on pepper production was evaluated. There were obvious differences in output and environmental cost between the two altitudes. High-altitude pepper production achieved a 16.2% lower yield, and had a higher fertilizer input, resulting in a 22.3% lower net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB), 23.0% higher nitrogen (N) footprint and 24.0% higher carbon (C) footprint compared to low-altitude farming. There is potential for environmental mitigation with both high- and low-altitude pepper production; Compared to average farmers, high-yield farmers groups reduced their N and C footprints by 16.9–24.8% and 18.3–25.2%, respectively, with 30.6–34.1% higher yield. A large increase in yield could also be achieved by increasing the top-dress fertilizer rate and decreasing the plant density. Importantly, high-altitude pepper production was achieved despite less advanced technology and inferior conditions (e.g., a poor road system and uneven fields). It provides a reference for the study of the environmental cost of other high-altitude regions or other crop systems at high-altitude areas.

Keywords: life-cycle assessment; pepper; net ecosystem economic benefit; environmental cost; mitigation potential (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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