Phosphorus is essential to all life. A critical component of fertilizers, Phosphorus currently has no known substitute in agriculture. Without it, crops cannot grow. With too much of it, waterways are polluted. Across the globe, social, political, and economic pressures are influencing the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. A better understanding of this non-renewable resource and its impacts on the environment is critical to conserving our global supply and increasing agricultural productivity.
Most of the phosphorus-focused discussion within the academic community is highly fragmented. Phosphorus, Food, and Our Future will bring together the necessary multi-disciplinary perspectives to build a cohesive knowledge base of phosphorus sustainability. The book is a direct continuation of processes associated with the first international conference on sustainable phosphorus held in the United States, the Frontiers in Life Sciences: Sustainable Phosphorus Summit, though it is not a book of conference proceedings; rather, the book is part of an integrated, coordinated process that builds on the momentum of the Summit. The first chapter will introduce the biological and chemical necessity of phosphorus. The subsequent ten chapters will explore different facets of phosphorus sustainability and the role of policy on future global phosphorus supplies. The final chapter will synthesize all of the emerging views contained in the book, drawing out the leading dilemmas and opportunities for phosphorus sustainability.
Author(s): Karl A. Wyant (editor), Jessica E. Corman (editor), Jim J. Elser (editor)
Edition: 1
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2013
Language: English
Pages: 256
Cover
Contents
Preface
Contributors
List of Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction to P sustainability: P Is for Philosophy and Process
Chapter 2: The Biology and Ecology of Phosphorus in Biota, Natural Ecosystems, and Agroecosystems: P Is for Phosphorus
Chapter 3: Global Phosphorus: Geological Sources and Demand-Driven Production: P Is for Price
Chapter 4: Sustainable P in Agriculture: Food and Fuel: P Is for Productivity
Chapter 5: Phosphorus in Urban and Agricultural Landscapes: P Is for Preservation
Chapter 6: Phosphorus Recovery and Reuse: P Is for Processing
Chapter 7: Cultural Beliefs, Values, and the Biogeochemical Cycling of P: P Is for People
Chapter 8: How MFA, Transdisciplinarity, Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking, and Education Reform Are Keys to Better Managing P: P Is for Parity
Chapter 9: Future Scenarios for the Sustainable Use of Global Phosphorus Resources: P Is for Preferred (p)Futures
Chapter 10: Concluding Remarks: Synthesis and Initial Steps toward a Sustainable Phosphorus Future: P Is for Planning
Glossary
CHAPTER 1
C
E
G
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W
CHAPTER 2
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D
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M
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CHAPTER 3
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C
D
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CHAPTER 4
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B
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F
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V
CHAPTER 5
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B
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CHAPTER 6
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C
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CHAPTER 7
B
C
F
N
T
CHAPTER 8
C
E
M
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T
CHAPTER 9
B
I
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V
Index
A
B
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F
G
H
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J
K
L
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N
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P
Q
R
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T
U
V
W
X
Z
