Seventeenth century organic agriculture in China: II. Energy flows through an agroecosystem in Jiaxing Region
The energy flows in a seventeenth century agroecosystem in Jiaxing Region of eastern China were analyzed on the basis of historical data. The agroecosystem included cropping, mulberry-silkworm livestock, and fishing systems. In terms of energy, the agroecosystem was sustainable. Human labor provided all the power with inputs of about 3700 hr per hectare of farmland. Most or 70% of the labor was expended in the cropping system. Human and animal manure provided most of the nutrients for crop and mulberry production. About two-thirds of the total manure was used in crop production and one-third in the mulberry plantations. The only fossil energy input was a few hand tools. Approximately 55% of the grain was consumed directly by local residents, about one-third of the grain was used to make an alcohol drink and produce distillers' grains, which was fed to pigs, and only 2% of the grains were exported outside the agroecosystem. About two-thirds of the harvested crop residues were used as household fuel, while the remainder was returned to the field as an organic fertilizer. Pork accounted for 85% and silk cocoons 14% of the total animal products produced. Even though the agroecosystem was generally sustainable in terms of energy, the major environmental problem was that two-thirds of the harvested crop residues were used for household fuel. This reduced nutrient cycling in the system. Insufficient land was available to produce fuelwood; thus, crop residues were the primary source of fuel for the people.
- Research Organization:
- Chinese Acad. of Sci., Shenyang
- OSTI ID:
- 6964931
- Journal Information:
- Hum. Ecol.; (United States), Vol. 14:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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POLICY AND ECONOMY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
AGRICULTURE
ENERGY ANALYSIS
CHINA
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
CROPS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FARMS
FERTILIZERS
FUELS
HARVESTING
LABOR
NUTRIENTS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
ASIA
ECOSYSTEMS
INDUSTRY
ORGANIC WASTES
WASTES
290400* - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Resources
320301 - Energy Conservation
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