Higher landscape diversity associated with improved crop production resilience in Kansas-USA

Abstract

Cropland expansion and agriculture intensification have been the primary methods to increase food production since the 19th century. The resulting landscape simplification, however, can impede long-term agricultural crop productivity. This paper examines the role of landscape diversification on resilience of corn, soy, and winter wheat production, in terms of crop yield and yield variability, in the state of Kansas. The study uses panel data analysis with county fixed effects and time trends to estimate the relationship between landscape diversity and crop production resilience. Results show that diversity has a significant positive effect on yields after controlling for weather, irrigation, and chemical inputs. We find that the yields of winter wheat increase, on average, by 28% at high levels of landscape diversity, while corn and soy yields increase 7% and 5%, respectively. In addition, we find that increases in landscape diversity are significantly associated with reduced yield variability for winter wheat and corn, and that landscape diversity mitigates the effect of extreme weather conditions on yield. Study findings suggest that within a single, relatively low diversity state, increasing landscape diversity is positively associated with crop production resilience. Future extreme climate conditions may reduce crop yields and yield stability, requiring appropriate policies to ensure food security. Our findings suggest that landscape diversification may be an important tool within a portfolio of approaches to increase crop resilience under highly variable weather conditions.

Historic corn yield, production, and economic value trends in Kansas

“…A stable and resilient crop production enterprise maintains similar outcome despite year‐to‐year climate and resource variability (Nelson et al., 2022). In the late 1800s and early 1900s, open‐pollinated corn hybrids showed up to a maximum of ±1.6 Mg ha −1 corn yield variability from one year to another.…”

“…The increased variability is largely a function of higher yield over time with consequently greater magnitude of potential loses with yield declines being possible "down to zero." A stable and resilient crop production enterprise maintains similar outcome despite year-to-year climate and resource variability (Nelson et al, 2022). In the late 1800s and early 1900s, open-pollinated corn hybrids showed up to a maximum of ±1.6 Mg ha −1 corn yield variability from one year to another.…”

Defining features of diverse and productive agricultural systems: An archetype analysis of U.S. agricultural counties

“…Given that many of these HD-HP counties will experience significant shifts in climate conditions over the next century (Burchfield, 2022), opening up possibilities for diversification in landscapes with particularly favorable cultivation conditions could support climate-smart transitions and boost agricultural resilience (Hertel et al, 2021). Higher levels of diversity in cropping systems have the potential to improve crop yields and mitigate the effects of extreme weather conditions leading to greater yield stability (Redhead et al, 2020;Nelson et al, 2022). Moreover, crop diversity provides greater stability of total food and nutrition supply (Renard and Tilman, 2019) and economic value (Birthal and Hazrana, 2019;Sánchez et al, 2022) as crops responses to extreme weather conditions and changes in climate vary (Elmqvist et al, 2003).…”

“…First, field-scale research suggests that increased crop diversity may reduce the need for chemical inputs (Redlich et al, 2018;Thomine et al, 2022), supporting ecosystem health while also reducing on-farm expenses. Relatedly, agricultural experiments and landscape-scale studies suggest that increasing crop diversity and natural habitat near crop fields are associated with higher crop yields (Smith et al, 2008;Grab et al, 2018;Burchfield et al, 2019;Dainese et al, 2019;Galpern et al, 2020;Garland et al, 2021) and increased yield stability (Redhead et al, 2020;Nelson et al, 2022). More diverse agricultural landscapes are also associated with higher financial returns (Sánchez et al, 2022), reduced farm economic volatility (Abson et al, 2013), and more stable national food supplies (Renard and Tilman, 2019).…”

Analysis of the effect of landscape component classification on landscape diversity index

“…For instance, it has been found that higher landscape diversity mitigates the impact of extreme weather conditions on crop yields. Consequently, the yields of winter wheat, corn and soybean have increased in to varying degrees (Nelson et al 2022). Landscape diversity has an impact on animal richness.…”