Approaches and Challenges to Assess Nitrogen Impacts using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response Framework
Citation:
Baron, J., H. Shibata, D. Liptzin, H. Van Grinsven, W. deVries, J. Compton, A. Oita, A. Leach, AND T. Weinmann. Approaches and Challenges to Assess Nitrogen Impacts using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response Framework. International Nitrogen Initiative, New Delhi, N/A, INDIA, February 05 - 08, 2024.
Impact/Purpose:
Dr. Jill Baron is leading an abstract summarizing the connections between nitrogen pressures and states using the DPSIR (Driver, Pressure, State, Impact and Response) framework. This work earchable Nitrogen Matrix of Impacts and Pressures (N-MIP) that can be used to trace causes to effects and the methods used to develop causal relations and a mathematical response function typology to define the Pressure to State (P-S), State to Impact (S-I) and overall Pressure to Impact relationshipswill be presented at the 9th International Nitrogen Initiative conference at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in New Delhi, India, from February 5-8, 2023. This work represents efforts conducted as part of the International Nitrogen Management System (INMS) program that began in 2017 and includes case studies across the globe.
Description:
The global nitrogen science-policy community lacks a holistic framework for assessing nitrogen (N) impacts on food production, ecosystems, health, and climate. This results in reduced effectiveness and societal welfare benefits in addressing N challenges and creates the potential for N management in one area to produce N problems in another, or spill-over. Because the pathways leading to N impacts are complex and connected, integrated approaches are vital to prevent such spillovers. Increased and more consistent application of the pressure-state-impact response curves can help direct N policy by identifying pathways to change. The International Nitrogen Management System, INMS, was established to provide such a holistic framework. As part of INMS, we applied the DPSIR (Driver, Pressure, State, Impact and Response) framework to identify both direct and indirect pathways to N impacts focusing on indicators that describe relationships between pressures to states and between states and impacts. We identified seven types of impact domains: greenhouse gas balance, human health, terrestrial ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, agricultural products, cultural services, and non-agricultural products. We developed a comprehensive searchable Nitrogen Matrix of Impacts and Pressures (N-MIP) that can be used to trace causes to effects and the methods used to develop causal relations and a mathematical response function typology to define the Pressure to State (P-S), State to Impact (S-I) and overall Pressure to Impact relationships. Examples will be provided to illustrate how P-I relations are used to assess the impacts, including economic valuation, of N on agriculture, health, ecosystems, and climate. The mathematical response function typology may have value for policy development by identifying how an impact may respond before, at, or after a human health or environmental response threshold is crossed. Because the methods are applicable across all places and systems, the comprehensive, generic, methodology described to assess N impacts across countries and regions provides a scientific foundation that can be used by regional, national, and international governing bodies to develop policies toward more N sustainable use.