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Increasing agricultural productivity is one of the most important aims of modern biotechnology. One way to enhance the productivity of crop species is to enhance the efficiency of photosynthesis. In C3 plants the oxygenase activity of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCo) limits the photosynthetic efficiency. The green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has evolved a CO2 concentration mechanism (CCM) by increasing the CO2 concentration in the chloroplast stroma where RuBisCO is located. Four independent transgenic tobacco genotypes (LA, LB, C1 and C3) were generated producing the low CO2-inducible protein A and B (LCIA and LCIB) or the carbonic anhydrases I and III (CAH1 and CAH3) from C. reinhardtii CCM in the envelope, stroma, intermembrane space or thylakoid lumen of tobacco chloroplasts, respectively. All four recombinant proteins were active in planta, which had a substantial impact on carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Increasing the CO2 concentration near RuBisCO resulted in an enhanced rate of photosynthesis (by up to 15%), efficiency of photosystem II (by up to 18%) and chlorophyll content (by up to 19%). Although to differing extents, all four transgenic genotypes grew faster than wild-type plants, produced more shoot biomass (up to 45% more fresh weight or 38% more dry weight in the LA lines) and accumulated more photosynthetic end products, reflecting the higher rate of photosynthetic CO2 fixation. The proteome analysis revealed that the proteins changed in the transgenic genotypes compared to the wild-type plants were primarily associated with the regulation of the Calvin cycle and the amino acid biosynthesis. Metabolic analysis of the transgenic LA, LB and C3 plants revealed an increase in the levels of carbohydrates and also of most amino acids. Furthermore, transgenic LA and LB plants could maintain the enhanced biomass under low nitrogen conditions, where similarly-treated wild-type plants grew more slowly. The data generated in the present study confirmed that even single Chlamydomonas CCM components can be integrated into C3 plants to increase biomass, suggesting that transgenic lines combining multiple components or even a complete CCM could further increase the productivity and yield of C3 crops. RWTH Aachen University, Diss., 2017; Aachen, 1 Online-Ressource (151 Seiten) : Illustrationen, Diagramme(2017). = RWTH Aachen University, Diss., 2017 Published by Aachen

Ressourcen stellen die Basis für eine erfolgreiche industrielle und technologische Entwicklung dar und somit auch für den Wohlstand heutiger und zukünftiger Generationen. Mit steigender Ressourcennutzung nehmen auch die (physische und sozio-ökonomische) Verfügbarkeit abiotischer und biotischer Ressourcen, die Umweltverschmutzung und die sozialen Auswirkungen durch den Abbau und Nutzung der Ressourcen zu. Um den Erfolg implementierter Strategien (und deren Maßnahmen) hinsichtlich ihres Beitrags zu einem effizienten und nachhaltigen Umgang mit Ressourcen zu bewerten, bedarf es an entsprechenden Bewertungsmethoden. Diese Dissertation stellt vier Methoden bereit um die Bewertung abiotischer und biotischer Ressourcennutzung im Kontext der Nachhaltigkeit auf Produkt- und regionaler Ebene in konsistenter Weise zu bewerten. Die Methode zur Bewertung abiotischer Ressourcen auf Produktebene betrachtet insgesamt 21 relevante Aspekte und stellt Indikatoren zur Quantifizierung bereit. Für die Bewertung der sozio-ökonomischen Einschränkungen von Lieferketten ist eine neuer Ansatz entwickelt, der geopolitische, politische und regulative Aspekte berücksichtigt. Des Weiteren sind Screening-Indikatoren verfügbar, die die gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz der Ressourcennutzung adressieren. Um die Verfügbarkeit terrestrischer biotischer Ressourcen in Produktsystemen zu bewerten, wurde eine umfassende Methode mit 25 Indikatoren erstellt. Des Weiteren wird ein Ansatz vorgestellt, der es ermöglicht eine konsistente Zusammenführung und somit auch Bewertung verschiedener Ressourcentypen zu ermöglichen. Er findet bei der Zusammenführung der entwickelten Methoden zur Bewertung abiotischer und biotischer Ressourcen Anwendung. Da die Nutzung von Ressourcen auch auf Macro-Ebene betrachtet werden muss, wurde eine Methode zur Bewertung abiotischer Ressourcen auf regionaler Ebene entwickelt, die 25 Indikatoren für die Bewertung der Kritikalität (Verfügbarkeit von Ressourcen und Vulnerabilität der Region) und der gesellschaftlichen Akzeptanz zur Verfügung stellt. Verschiedene Fallstudien wurden durchgeführt um die Anwendbarkeit der entwickelten Methoden aufzuzeigen und zu verdeutlichen, warum eine umfassende Bewertung der Ressourcennutzung notwendig ist. Die Fallstudien umfassen u.a. die Bewertung eines Smartphones, Pkw-Herstellung und Biokraftstoffe. Die Anwendbarkeit der Methoden wird zudem erhöht, indem Indikatorwerte für 36 Metalle und 4 fossile Rohstoffe zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Die Bewertung der Nutzung abiotischer und biotischer Ressourcen auf Produkt- und regionaler Ebene wird mit dieser Dissertation signifikant verbessert, indem vier wissenschaftliche Methoden zur robusten und umfassenden Bewertung aller drei Nachhaltigkeitsdimensionen bereitgestellt werden. Resources are the basis for a thriving industrial and technological development and therefore for prosperity of present and future generations. With increasing resource use, challenges with regard to (physical and socio-economic) availability of abiotic and biotic resources and raw materials, pollution of the environment as well as social impacts associated with resource extraction and use arise. To evaluate the success of strategies managing resource use more efficiently and sustainably methodologies are required to comprehensively assess resource use and related impacts. This thesis provides four methodologies to improve the assessment of abiotic and biotic resource use in the context of sustainability on product and regional level. For the method to assess abiotic resources use on product level overall 21 aspects are considered as relevant and indicator for quantification are provided. In order to determine socio-economic supply chain restrictions a new approach is developed, considering geopolitical, political and regulatory aspects affecting resource extraction and use. Further, screening indicators are established to evaluate the societal acceptance of resources with regard to compliance with social and environmental standards. To assess the availability of terrestrial biotic resources in product systems a comprehensive methodology is established, which includes 25 indicators. Further, an approach is proposed to combine assessment methodologies in a consistent way. This approach is applied to the developed method of this thesis leading to a combined methodology. The use of resources also has to be considered on macro-economic. Thus, a methodology is developed providing 25 indicators for the two dimensions criticality, consisting of the sub-dimensions (physical and socio-economic) availability and vulnerability, as well as societal acceptance. Several case studies are carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the developed methods and to confirm the need for a comprehensive assess of resource use on micro and macro level, e.g. case studies for smart phones and cars, for biofuels produced from rapeseed and soybean. The applicability of the methodologies is further enhanced by providing indicator results for 36 metals and four fossil raw materials. The assessment of abiotic and biotic resource use on product and regional level is improved significantly by establishing four scientifically robust yet applicable methodologies, which consider multiple aspects of resource use in all three sustainability dimensions.

This presentation gives an overview of the Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support Program (SANREM CRSP). The SANREM CRSP utilizes a systems approach to promote many goals including the improvement of agricultural productivity, the empowerment of smallholders, and the promotion of sustainable development. This presentation shows the different components, partners, and structure of the SANREM CRSP, the extent of capacity building efforts, and the long-term research activities for Phase IV. ME (Management Entity)

Metadata only record Adapting to Change in the Andean Highlands: Practices and Strategies to Address Climate and Market Risks in Vulnerable Agro-ecosystems (SANREM CRSP LTRA 4) focus is to identify the consequences of climate change for one of the poorest and most vulnerable regions in the Western Hemisphere and develop adaptive capacities. The project uses a cross disciplinary and participatory approach, linking biophysical and social sciences research with local knowledge systems through participatory institutions. The presentations concentrate on some of the key findings in the context of climate change. In the biophysical sciences Anji Seth will report on Altiplano climate change projections for this century; Peter Motavalli on the mitigation and adaptation aspects of organic soil amendment practices in rural communities; and Karen Garrett on anticipating and responding to plant disease and pests risks. Finally, Valdivia and Gilles will discuss findings on strategies for enhancing the adaptive capacity of small Andean producers. LTRA-4 (Practices and Strategies for Vulnerable Agro-Ecosystems)

This paper provides an overview of the economics of biofuels. It starts by describing the remarkable growth of the biofuel industry over the last decade, with emphasis on developments in the United States, Brazil and the European Union, and it identifies the driving role played by some critical policies. After a brief discussion of the motivations that are commonly argued in favor of biofuels and biofuel policies, the paper presents an assessment of the impacts of biofuels from the economics perspective. In particular, the paper explains the basic analytics of biofuel mandates, reviews several existing studies that have estimated the economic impacts of biofuels, presents some insights from a specific model, and outlines an appraisal of biofuel policies and the environmental impacts of biofuels. The paper concludes with an examination of several open issues and the future prospects of biofuels. Bio-based and Applied Economics, Vol 1 No 3 (2012): Towards a Sustainable Bio-economy: economic issues and policy challenges

The IPCC stresses the importance of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions worldwide by 2050 and natural climate solutions, particularly carbon farming, can play a significant role in this goal. However, current markets do not account for environmental externalities, which creates a mismatch between individual costs and societal benefits. Payment systems linked to carbon farming practices could help bridge this gap. Research is essential to develop effective agricultural carbon markets, and this study focuses on the opportunities and challenges faced by smallholder farmers in these markets. The research examines four areas: agricultural markets as a funding source for carbon farming, payments for carbon sequestration, opportunities for smallholder farmers, and cost-effective monitoring and verification of carbon stocks. Further research is needed to monitor carbon sequestration accurately, reduce GHG emissions, and develop institutional arrangements to promote sustainable production methods in Africa.

There is general consensus in the scientific literature that human-induced climate change has taken place and will continue to do so over the next century. The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concludes with “very high confidence” that anthropogenic activities such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation have affected the global climate. The AR4 also indicates that global average temperatures are expected to increase by another 1.1°C to 5.4°C by 2100, depending on the increase in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases that takes place during this time. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, temperature increases, altered precipitation patterns and other factors influenced by climate have already begun to impact U.S. agriculture. Climate change will continue to have significant effects on U.S. agriculture, water resources, land resources, and biodiversity in the future as temperature extremes begin exceeding thresholds that harm crop growth more frequently and precipitation and runoff patterns continue to change. In this study, we provide an assessment of the potential long-term implications of climate change on landowner decisions regarding land use, crop mix, and production practices in the U.S., combining a crop process model (Environmental Policy Integrated Climate model) and an economic model of the U.S. forestry and agricultural sector (Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model). Agricultural producers have always faced numerous production and price risks, but forecasts of more rapid changes in climatic conditions in the future have raised concerns that these risks will increase in the future relative to historical conditions.

Water and energy are two inextricably linked resources. Each has the potential to limit the development of the other. There is a substantial body of research dedicated to understanding how the availability of water can limit energy production, but the alternate relationship - that of energy limiting water production - has received much less scrutiny. The demand for both resources is predicted to increase in tandem with population growth, potentially creating or adding to conflict in regions of water or energy scarcity. To greater understand the "water/energy nexus," - a commonly used term to describe their interdependence - each phase of water supply and consumption can be broken into discrete segments that have an associated energy requirement, called an energy factor. An energy factor is the amount of energy used to develop, convey and treat a given volume of water. This study presents a methodology for calculating the energy factors of each phase of the water supply cycle that is "outside the retail meter." A case study of a large water system in an arid region of the United States is used as an example system for applying these methods. Using the case study system as a framework, an energy demand model is developed that estimates baseline energy usage for heterogeneous water systems, and then models changes in energy requirement under three alternate water supply and demand scenarios. The results of the model scenarios reveal that water demand reductions, as can be brought about by targeted water efficiency programs, can have extended energy-saving impacts - affecting all other phases of the water supply cycle. A demand reduction of 25% for the case study water system resulted in a cumulative annual energy savings of 8.9 million kilowatt hours (kWh) - a decrease of 28% from its current level of energy consumption. Modeling the conversion of agricultural or currently untreated water to municipal uses within the case study resulted in an increase in energy requirement by 6.3 million kWh - a 20% increase. Reductions in the availability of imported surface water supply, such as those brought about by prolonged drought, climate change or reservoir sedimentation, can increase energy demand as well. An additional 5.7 million kWh are needed to ameliorate the effects of a 35% reduction in surface water supply for the case study water system - an 18% increase from its current energy requirement. The process and findings of this study reveal a lack of emphasis among water agencies concerning energy consumption, and indicate that changes in supply and use patterns have dramatic effects on energy usage.

Advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol are of great interest for their potential to supply a significant portion of U.S. fuel needs plus advantages over corn grain-based ethanol. The sustainability of agriculture-based advanced biofuels depends on how farmers would respond in providing biomass feedstock, yet economic behavior by farmers has been under recognized by the science community. Focusing on markets and policy incentives, this research shows that farmers are unlikely to convert current grain cropland to grow a dedicated cellulosic biomass crop such as switchgrass. However, the financial incentives to harvest cellulosic biomass provided by the 2008 farm bill may stimulate corn production due to demand for corn grain for feed and ethanol and corn residues for advanced biofuels. The prospect of continuous, possibly expanding corn production for advanced biofuels raises the same environmental issues as for corn grain-based ethanol. To assure the environmental sustainability of advanced biofuels production, environmental policies are needed to complement existing bioenergy initiatives.