Embedding circularity into the transition towards sustainable agroforestry systems in Peru.

Peru is promoting the adoption of agroforestry systems with the aim to halt the deforestation of tropical forests caused by smallholder farmers. However, deficient soil conservation practices and nutrient management are common among the targeted smallholders, hampering the success of this strategy. In this study, we explore the potential of valorizing municipal biowaste as compost to be used as soil amendment in coffee agroforestry systems and in silvopastoral systems. The analysis was concentrated in four Peruvian regions and the most populous city in each of them. For lands with coffee production, it was assumed that 90 kg N ha-1 (i.e., 50% of the N requirements) should come from compost, while for pastures, the requirement was 40 kg P ha-1. We found that composting could lead to large greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions compared with the current waste disposal methods (i.e., deep dumping and landfilling), as it only emits 5-10% of the GHG emissions produced with the other methods. Nonetheless, the area of agroforestry and silvopastoral systems that could be fertilized with compost obtained from the main city of each region is limited and insufficient. If all compost were to be used for the coffee agroforestry system, less than 3% of the coffee agroforestry area could be fertilized, while in the case of pastures, only 4% would be attained. Large amounts of compost could be obtained from Lima, the most populated city; however, its transportation to the agroforestry areas would increase compost GHG emissions by 15-60%. Although composting municipal food waste and loss may bring GHG benefits and should be promoted, its use as a fertilizer requires mixing with N-rich sources to improve its nutrient quality.

Black soldier fly reared on pig manure: Bioconversion efficiencies, nutrients in the residual material, greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions.

There is an increased interest for using insects, such as the black soldier fly, to treat surplus manure and upcycle nutrients into the food system. Understanding the influence that BSFL have on nutrient flows and nutrient losses during manure bioconversion is key for sustainability assessments. Here we quantified and compared nutrient balances, nutrient levels in residual materials and emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia between manure incubated with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and manure without BSFL, during a 9-day experimental period. We obtained high analytical recoveries, ranging between 95 and 103%. We found that of the pig manure supplied, 12.5% of dry matter (DM), 13% of carbon, 25% of nitrogen, 14% of energy, 8.5% of phosphorus and 9% of potassium was stored in BSFL body mass. When BSFL were present, more carbon dioxide (247 vs 148 g/kg of DM manure) and ammonia-nitrogen (7 vs 4.5 g/kg of DM manure) emitted than when larvae were absent. Methane, which was the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, was produced at the same levels (1.3 vs 1.1 g/kg of DM manure) in both treatments, indicating the main role that manure microbial methane emissions play. Nitrous oxide was negligible in both treatments. The uptake of nutrients by the larvae and the higher carbon dioxide and ammonia emissions modified the nutrient composition of the residual material substantially relative to the fresh manure. Our study provides a reliable basis to quantify the environmental impact of using BSFL in future life cycle assessments.

Articulating the effect of food systems innovation on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Food system innovations will be instrumental to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, major innovation breakthroughs can trigger profound and disruptive changes, leading to simultaneous and interlinked reconfigurations of multiple parts of the global food system. The emergence of new technologies or social solutions, therefore, have very different impact profiles, with favourable consequences for some SDGs and unintended adverse side-effects for others. Stand-alone innovations seldom achieve positive outcomes over multiple sustainability dimensions. Instead, they should be embedded as part of systemic changes that facilitate the implementation of the SDGs. Emerging trade-offs need to be intentionally addressed to achieve true sustainability, particularly those involving social aspects like inequality in its many forms, social justice, and strong institutions, which remain challenging. Trade-offs with undesirable consequences are manageable through the development of well planned transition pathways, careful monitoring of key indicators, and through the implementation of transparent science targets at the local level.

Halting European Union soybean feed imports favours ruminants over pigs and poultry.

The European Union (EU) livestock sector relies on imported soybean as a feed source, but feeding soybean to animals leads to a loss of macronutrients compared to direct human consumption, and soybean production is associated with deforestation. Here we show that 75-82% of current EU animal fat and protein production could be sustained without soybean imports while avoiding increased use of cropland for feed production within the EU. Reduced soybean feed exports, mainly from South America, would free up 11-14 million hectares outside the EU, but indirect land-use changes would increase demand for palm oil produced in southeast Asia. Avoiding imported soybean feeds would result in reduced EU pork and poultry production; increased plant-based food consumption would be required to maintain the supply of essential nutrients for human diets. Optimizing livestock production to overcome dependency on imported soybean feed can reduce cropland demand in deforestation-prone areas while supporting the nutritional requirements of EU diets-but will require progressive policies targeting all aspects of the food system.

Reconstrucción artroscópica del ligamento cruzado anterior utilizando implantes bioabsorbibles / Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using bioabsorbable implants

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar 93 pacientes, a los cuales se les reconstruyó el ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) con un autoinjerto de tendón rotuliano utilizando implantes bioabsorbibles de ácido poliláctico en cirugía artroscópica. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 32 años. Solo contamos en esta casuística con 3 pacientes de sexo femenino. El seguimiento promedio postoperatorio de la serie fue de 25 meses. Por el escaso número de complicaciones observadas consideramos que los implantes bioabsorbibles son más seguros y eficientes. Además, permitiendo a futuro los estudios de RMI ó tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) sin distorsiones, para evaluar eventuales traumas.

The aim of this paper was the assessment of 93 patients, in which the anterior crossed ligament (ACL) was reconstructed by means of a rotulian tendon auto graft using a bioabsorbable implant of polylactic acid in arthroscopic surgery. Average patient age was 32 years. There are only three female patients in this case study. The average postsurgical follow up of the series was 25 months. Because of the scarce number of complications observed, we consider that bioabsorbable implants are safer and more efficient. In addition, they allow for future MRI or CT scans without distortions in order to assess possible trauma.

Reconstrucción artroscópica del ligamento cruzado anterior utilizando implantes bioabsorbibles / Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior crossed ligament by jeans of bioabsorbable implants

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar 93 pacientes, a los cuales se les reconstruyó el ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) con un autoinjerto de tendón rotuliano utilizando implantes bioabsorbibles de ácido poliláctico en cirugía artroscópica. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 32 años. Solo contamos en esta casuística con 3 pacientes de sexo femenino. El seguimiento promedio postoperatorio de la serie fue de 25 meses. Por el escaso número de complicaciones observadas consideramos que los implantes bioabsorbibles son más seguros y eficientes. Además, permitiendo a futuro los estudios de RMI ó tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) sin distorsiones, para evaluar eventuales traumas...(AU)