Open AccessDistant Views and Local Realities: The Limits of Global Assessments to Restore the Fragmented Phosphorus Cycle
Author(s) -
Sharpley Andrew,
Kleinman Peter,
Jarvie Helen,
Flaten Don
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
agricultural and environmental letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.681
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2471-9625
DOI - 10.2134/ael2016.07.0024
Subject(s) - agriculture , big data , production (economics) , agricultural productivity , business , resource (disambiguation) , environmental resource management , natural resource economics , computer science , economics , geography , computer network , archaeology , macroeconomics , operating system
Core Ideas Meta‐analysis of “big data” can identify P disconnects in P cycles, stocks and flows. Understanding of farming realities is needed to identify root causes of change. Access to “big data” without grounding in reality can lead to misleading conclusions. Researchers must ensure production and conservation tactics consider farming realities.With more sophisticated data compilation and analytical capabilities, the evolution of “big data” analysis has occurred rapidly. We examine the meta‐analysis of “big data” representing phosphorus (P) flows and stocks in global agriculture and address the need to consider local nuances of farm operations to avoid erroneous or misleading recommendations. Of concern is the disconnect between macro‐needs for better P resource management at regional and national scales versus local realities of P management at farm scales. Both agricultural and environmental researchers should focus on providing solutions to disconnects identified by meta‐analyses and ensure that production and conservation strategies consider farming realities.