Ecosystem Health & Sustainable Agriculture

EHSA

Ecosystem Health & Sustainable Agriculture

EHSA

CBSS Round table discussion seminarThe Environmental standing of the Baltic Sea: from political

proposal to practical project17 March, 2008

Christine JakobssonDirector

Baltic University ProgrammeUppsala University

CBSS Round table discussion seminarThe Environmental standing of the Baltic Sea: from political

proposal to practical project17 March, 2008

Christine JakobssonDirector

Baltic University ProgrammeUppsala University

The Baltic Sea & The Baltic Sea & eutrophicationeutrophication

• N or P?N or P?

• Coastal areas Coastal areas

• Nitrogen fixation in the seaNitrogen fixation in the sea

• P in organic material e.g. manure, plant P in organic material e.g. manure, plant material, sewage sludge, is very reactivematerial, sewage sludge, is very reactive

• Algal bloomsAlgal blooms

• Waste water treatment plantsWaste water treatment plants

• AgricultureAgriculture

Algae bloomAlgae bloom

Baltic Sea Baltic Sea Region Project Region Project (BSRP)(BSRP)

HELCOM HELCOM

ICES, SLU/WWF/BUP, ICES, SLU/WWF/BUP, NEFCONEFCO

Worldbank/GEF/Sida/NEFCWorldbank/GEF/Sida/NEFCOO

A regional platform A regional platform for water relatedfor water relatedco-operationco-operation& action& action

4 Components4 Components

• Comp. 1:Comp. 1: Large Marine Ecosystem Large Marine Ecosystem ActivitiesActivities

• Comp. 2:Comp. 2: Land and Coastal Land and Coastal Management ActivitiesManagement Activities

• Comp. 3:Comp. 3: Institutional Institutional Strengthening and Regional Strengthening and Regional Capacity BuildingCapacity Building

• Comp. 4:Comp. 4: Project Management Project Management

Goals for sustainable agricultureGoals for sustainable agricultureAgriculture contributes significantly to the society of the future. Sustainable Agriculture contributes significantly to the society of the future. Sustainable agriculture is the production of high quality food and other agricultural agriculture is the production of high quality food and other agricultural products / services in the long run with consideration taken to economy and products / services in the long run with consideration taken to economy and social structure, in such a way that the resource base of non-renewable social structure, in such a way that the resource base of non-renewable and renewable resources is maintained. Important sub-goals are:and renewable resources is maintained. Important sub-goals are:1. the 1. the farmers incomefarmers income should be should be sufficient to provide a fair standard of sufficient to provide a fair standard of livingliving in the agricultural community in the agricultural community2. the farmers should 2. the farmers should practise production methods which do not threaten practise production methods which do not threaten human or animal health or degrade the environmenthuman or animal health or degrade the environment including biodiversity including biodiversity and at the same time minimise the environmental responsibilities that future and at the same time minimise the environmental responsibilities that future generations must assumegenerations must assume3. 3. non-renewable resourcesnon-renewable resources have to gradually be have to gradually be replaced by renewable replaced by renewable resourcesresources and that and that recirculationrecirculation of non-renewable resources is maximised of non-renewable resources is maximised4. sustainable agriculture will meet societies needs of 4. sustainable agriculture will meet societies needs of food and recreationfood and recreation and and preserve the landscape, cultural values and the historical heritage of preserve the landscape, cultural values and the historical heritage of rural areasrural areas and contribute to create and contribute to create stable well developed and secure rural stable well developed and secure rural communitiescommunities5. the 5. the ethical aspects of agricultural productionethical aspects of agricultural production are secured are secured

Baltic 21 - An Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea RegionBaltic 21 - An Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region

The Baltic 21 Agriculture Sector priority The Baltic 21 Agriculture Sector priority actions:actions:

Education and trainingEducation and training Create demonstration watersheds with demonstration farmsdemonstration watersheds with demonstration farms

in a network in the different countries (part of joint action 3) Develop a ”Virtual Research Institute””Virtual Research Institute” for sustainable

agriculture based on the already existing NOVABOVA in the Baltic Sea Region.

Elaborate and implement agro-environmental legislation and agro-environmental legislation and policiespolicies

Ecosystem Health & Ecosystem Health & Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

• New course package on SD & agriculture & New course package on SD & agriculture & ecosystem healthecosystem health for university level for university level

• Developed in cooperation withDeveloped in cooperation with BUPBUP & the& the Envirovet Envirovet BalticBaltic networknetwork

• CountriesCountries: Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, : Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Kaliningrad & St. Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Kaliningrad & St. Petersburg in Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine & the Petersburg in Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine & the USAUSA

• Part of HELCOM and GEF’s Baltic Sea Regional Project Part of HELCOM and GEF’s Baltic Sea Regional Project in NW Russia (Sida financed)in NW Russia (Sida financed)

• Baltic 21 Lighthouse projectBaltic 21 Lighthouse project

• 4 seminars in St. Petersburg in 2007-20084 seminars in St. Petersburg in 2007-2008

• 4 seminars in Kaliningrad in 20084 seminars in Kaliningrad in 2008

• 1 seminar in Tartu, Kaunas, Jelgava, & Rogow in 2008 1 seminar in Tartu, Kaunas, Jelgava, & Rogow in 2008

NewCoursePackage !!

Unique cooperationUnique cooperation• Agronomists, Agronomists, • Veterinaries,Veterinaries,• Animal scientists, Animal scientists, • Nature geographers, Nature geographers, • Biologists, Biologists, • Wildlife biologists,Wildlife biologists,• Chemists Chemists • EconomistsEconomists• Rural development specialistsRural development specialists• Public health professionals etc.Public health professionals etc.• Gender specialist and social expertsGender specialist and social experts• New concept on sustainable agriculture & its part in the New concept on sustainable agriculture & its part in the

rural ecosystem;rural ecosystem;• sustainable agriculture covered from the different sustainable agriculture covered from the different

aspects represented by the above mentioned aspects represented by the above mentioned professions;professions;

• substantial knowledge on land use & rural substantial knowledge on land use & rural development, ecosystem health & the interactions development, ecosystem health & the interactions between the wild & the domestic population, poverty between the wild & the domestic population, poverty alleviation, legislation, control measures.alleviation, legislation, control measures.

Definition of the ecosystem Definition of the ecosystem approachapproach• Ecosystems consist of: flora, fauna, other organisms, the Ecosystems consist of: flora, fauna, other organisms, the

surrounding environment. surrounding environment. • Are all a part of a food chain, with interconnections where the Are all a part of a food chain, with interconnections where the

different levels influence each other as the result of complex & different levels influence each other as the result of complex & dynamic relationships. dynamic relationships.

• If a critical species decreases in number or disappears, these If a critical species decreases in number or disappears, these relationships can break down. The ecosystem can then take on a relationships can break down. The ecosystem can then take on a completely different state after the break down. completely different state after the break down.

• Sustainable management Sustainable management must be based on this perspective & must be based on this perspective & consider the impact of proposed measures in a holistic mannerconsider the impact of proposed measures in a holistic manner. .

• The ecosystem approach places more far-reaching demands on The ecosystem approach places more far-reaching demands on protection measures. protection measures.

• Management: - more adaptive & instructive with clear links between Management: - more adaptive & instructive with clear links between implemented measures, environmental monitoring & research; implemented measures, environmental monitoring & research; - based more on the obligations of the sectors & less on their rights. - based more on the obligations of the sectors & less on their rights.

• The aim is The aim is to preserve the structure & function of ecosystems & to preserve the structure & function of ecosystems & hence maintain their capacity to provide us with goods & serviceshence maintain their capacity to provide us with goods & services. .

Non-sustainable issues of present day Non-sustainable issues of present day agricultureagricultureProductionProduction

·· Contaminants and residues in foodContaminants and residues in food· Unfavourable market conditions for agricultural production· Unfavourable market conditions for agricultural production∙ Excessive livestock densityExcessive livestock density∙ Changing climate, temperatures, water availability, stormsChanging climate, temperatures, water availability, storms

Natural resourcesNatural resources·· Dependence on fossil energyDependence on fossil energy·· Low efficiencyLow efficiency of energy use in agricultural productionof energy use in agricultural production·· Dependence on non-renewable phosphorus deposits Dependence on non-renewable phosphorus deposits ·· Lack of water and of high water qualityLack of water and of high water quality·· Nutrient losses (N and P) to the environmentNutrient losses (N and P) to the environment·· Decrease in soil fertility (acidification, carbon content, nutrient Decrease in soil fertility (acidification, carbon content, nutrient

status, structure, compaction, salinisation)status, structure, compaction, salinisation)·· ErosionErosion·· Pesticide residues in soil, water and non-target organisms Pesticide residues in soil, water and non-target organisms ·· Accumulation of heavy metals and nuclides Accumulation of heavy metals and nuclides ·· Soil contamination with persistent organic and inorganic Soil contamination with persistent organic and inorganic

substancessubstances·· Loss of biodiversity and genetic resourcesLoss of biodiversity and genetic resources

·· Air pollution (NHAir pollution (NH33, CH, CH44, N, N22O, pesticides)O, pesticides)

Non-sustainable issues of present day Non-sustainable issues of present day agricultureagriculture

Human and animal welfareHuman and animal welfare

·· Occupational threats to farmers & consumers health Occupational threats to farmers & consumers health ·· Dependence on growth promoters & antibiotics in Dependence on growth promoters & antibiotics in

animal production animal production ·· Unfavourable animal welfare & threats to animal Unfavourable animal welfare & threats to animal

healthhealth∙ Diseases that can spread from animals to humans e Diseases that can spread from animals to humans e

g BSE, avian influenza g BSE, avian influenza Socio-economic criteriaSocio-economic criteria

·· Unfavourable economical profitability of farmingUnfavourable economical profitability of farming·· Lack of food security & food production securityLack of food security & food production security·· Unfavourable social infra-structure in rural areasUnfavourable social infra-structure in rural areas·· Lack of preservation of nature & historical valuesLack of preservation of nature & historical values·· UrbanisationUrbanisation

Competence- EducationCompetence- Education·· Lack of education, information & management skillLack of education, information & management skill

Ecosystem Health & Ecosystem Health & Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture

ModulesModulesRural development and land Rural development and land

useuseSustainable agricultureSustainable agricultureEcology and animal healthEcology and animal health

3 books for university teaching3 books for university teaching1313

EHSA ActivitiesEHSA Activities

• Stakeholders LFA planning MeetingStakeholders LFA planning Meeting, 10-12 Sept. , 10-12 Sept. 2005, Kaunas, Lithuania2005, Kaunas, Lithuania

• Identifying local coordinators 2006Identifying local coordinators 2006• Kick-Off MeetingKick-Off Meeting, 27-29 Nov. 2006,Tallinn, Estonia, 27-29 Nov. 2006,Tallinn, Estonia• HomepageHomepage started in December 2006 started in December 2006• NewsletterNewsletter start in Spring 2007 start in Spring 2007• Editors meetingsEditors meetings Oct 2007 modules 2,3; April -08 Oct 2007 modules 2,3; April -08

module 4module 4

• Authors meetingAuthors meeting, , 25-26 June 2008, Klaipeda, Lithuania25-26 June 2008, Klaipeda, Lithuania• Planning meeting with Russian coordinators Planning meeting with Russian coordinators 14-16 14-16

Nov 2007Nov 2007• Seminar /training courseSeminar /training course (1st of 12) 13-14 Dec. 2007 (1st of 12) 13-14 Dec. 2007

& the rest during 2008& the rest during 2008• Film productionFilm production in 2008 (if financing is secured)in 2008 (if financing is secured)• Editing conferenceEditing conference in Autumn 2008in Autumn 2008• Layout &printing of books Autumn/Winter 2008/2009Layout &printing of books Autumn/Winter 2008/2009• Teachers conferencesTeachers conferences in 2009in 2009

Local CoordinatorsLocal Coordinators

Kaliningrad:Kaliningrad: Helena Kropinova, Anna Polyotkina, Helena Kropinova, Anna Polyotkina, Elena Kostyk,Elena Kostyk, Immanuel Kant Russian State Immanuel Kant Russian State UniversityUniversity

St. Petersburg:St. Petersburg: Nikolay Poliansky, Eleena Nikolay Poliansky, Eleena Korneva, Marina Efremova, St. Petersburg State Korneva, Marina Efremova, St. Petersburg State Agrarian University & Alexandra Izosimova, Agrarian University & Alexandra Izosimova, Academy of Management and Agribusiness of Academy of Management and Agribusiness of Non-Chernozem Zone of Russian Federation Non-Chernozem Zone of Russian Federation

Estonia:Estonia: Arvo Ital, Tallinn Technical University, Arvo Ital, Tallinn Technical University, Institute of Environmental EngineeringInstitute of Environmental Engineering

Latvia:Latvia: Maira Dzelzkaleja in cooperation with Maira Dzelzkaleja in cooperation with Viesturs Jansons, Latvia University of AgricultureViesturs Jansons, Latvia University of Agriculture

Lithuania: Lithuania: Angelia Buciene, Klaipeda UniversityAngelia Buciene, Klaipeda UniversityPoland:Poland: Jozef Moseij, Warsaw Agricultural Jozef Moseij, Warsaw Agricultural

University, University, 1515

EHSA & the futureEHSA & the future

• Substantial holistic knowledge on ecosystem Substantial holistic knowledge on ecosystem health & sustainable agriculture based on research health & sustainable agriculture based on research & experience. Written by well-known experts & experience. Written by well-known experts within the BSR & the Great Lakes region.within the BSR & the Great Lakes region.

• Suitable for continuing education for advisorsSuitable for continuing education for advisors

• University education to provide a solid backgroundUniversity education to provide a solid background

• Large multiplying effect after the project ends as Large multiplying effect after the project ends as the educational package will be offered to all the educational package will be offered to all universities within the BSR & GLRuniversities within the BSR & GLR

• Good platform for future researchGood platform for future research

EHSA & the futureEHSA & the future

• A planned continuation together with the Swedish A planned continuation together with the Swedish Farmers Federation, WWF and Keep Baltic TidyFarmers Federation, WWF and Keep Baltic Tidy

• Result of the Agricultural and Environmental Result of the Agricultural and Environmental Ministers Meeting in Saltsjöbaden, April 2007Ministers Meeting in Saltsjöbaden, April 2007

• Meeting Agri-environmental extension services Meeting Agri-environmental extension services around the Baltic Sea, Riga, Latvia, 6 – 7 Dec. 2007around the Baltic Sea, Riga, Latvia, 6 – 7 Dec. 2007

• Baltic 21 projectBaltic 21 project

• Cooperation on agri-environmental extention Cooperation on agri-environmental extention service around the Baltic Seaservice around the Baltic Sea

• Example - Transfer Focus on NutrientsExample - Transfer Focus on Nutrients

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The Baltic University Programme

• a network of 220 universities & a network of 220 universities & institutes of higher learning; institutes of higher learning; • 14 countries in the Baltic Sea Basin14 countries in the Baltic Sea Basin• 14 regional centres14 regional centres• 1.1.5500 teachers/researchers contributed00 teachers/researchers contributed• 9.500 students yearly 9.500 students yearly • coordinated by a Secretariat at Uppsala coordinated by a Secretariat at Uppsala University, Sweden;University, Sweden;• focuses onfocuses on sustainable development, sustainable development, environmental protection & democracyenvironmental protection & democracy

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Thank you for Thank you for your attention your attention and interest!and interest!www.balticuniv.uu.sewww.balticuniv.uu.se

Module 2. Module 2. Rural Development & Land Rural Development & Land UseUse

A.A. The rural landscapeThe rural landscapeB.B. The Rural societyThe Rural societyC.C. Human perspectives on values of the Human perspectives on values of the

landscapelandscapeD.D. Planning, management and Planning, management and

assessmentassessmentE.E. Policy instruments and governancePolicy instruments and governance

Module 3. Module 3. Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

A.A. Definition of sustainable & unsustainable Definition of sustainable & unsustainable issues in agricultureissues in agriculture

B.B. Reduce the nutrient losses from Reduce the nutrient losses from agricultureagriculture

C.C. Reduce the risks connected with the use Reduce the risks connected with the use of plant protection productsof plant protection products

D.D. Protection of ground & surface water for Protection of ground & surface water for drinking water purposes in agricultural drinking water purposes in agricultural areasareas

E.E. Improve efficiency of energy & transportsImprove efficiency of energy & transportsF.F. Improve efficiency of raw materials usage Improve efficiency of raw materials usage

for high quality agricultural productivityfor high quality agricultural productivityG.G. Combating soil degradationCombating soil degradation

Module 3. Module 3. Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture cont…cont…H.H. Production of high quality products & Production of high quality products &

balanced feedingbalanced feeding I.I. Animal welfareAnimal welfare J.J. Occupational healthOccupational health K.K. Maintain & promote biodiversityMaintain & promote biodiversity L.L. Promote balanced land use & improve Promote balanced land use & improve

landscape diversitylandscape diversity M.M.Recycling of nutrients in bio-solids(sewage Recycling of nutrients in bio-solids(sewage

sludge, compost, organic materials) human sludge, compost, organic materials) human urine, by-products from industries;urine, by-products from industries;

N.N. Counteract climate effectsCounteract climate effects

Module 4. Module 4. Ecology and Animal HealthEcology and Animal Health

A.A. Stewardship of biodiversityStewardship of biodiversity A.1. TerrestrialA.1. TerrestrialA.2. AquaticA.2. Aquatic

B.B. Monitoring for diseases in wildlife Monitoring for diseases in wildlife populationspopulations

C.C. Preventing transmission of infectious Preventing transmission of infectious diseases among wildlife, domestic diseases among wildlife, domestic animal, and human populationsanimal, and human populations

D.D. Prevention & reduction of impacts of Prevention & reduction of impacts of chemical contaminants on ecosystemschemical contaminants on ecosystems

E.E. Food SafetyFood Safety

Module 4. Module 4. Ecology and Animal Health Ecology and Animal Health ….….

F.F. Differences in North American, EU Differences in North American, EU and Russian Perspectivesand Russian Perspectives

G.G. Impact of Climate Change on Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife, Domestic Animal, Human, Wildlife, Domestic Animal, Human, and Ecosystem Health: Preparing and Ecosystem Health: Preparing for global warmingfor global warming

The Baltic University Programme Undergraduate courses

Environmental Science courses1. The Baltic Sea Environment2. Environmental Science3. English for Environmental Science

The Baltic Sea Region (area studies) courses1. The Baltic Sea Region – Cultures, Politics, Societies2. Peoples of the Baltic 3. Regional Development and the Baltic Sea Region

Sustainable Development course1. A Sustainable Baltic Region

The Baltic University Programme Master coursesWater Management courses1. Sustainable Water Management in Baltic Sea Region 2. The Baltic Waterscape3. The Use and Management of Water4. River Basin Management

Environmental Management courses1. Policy Instruments for Environmental Management 2. Cleaner Production & Technologies3. Product Design & Life Cycle Techniques 4. Environmental Management Systems & Certification

Sustainable community development courses1. The city2. Building sustainable communities3. Sustainable Urban Management