Seventeenth century organic agriculture in China: II. Energy flows through an agroecosystem in Jiaxing Region

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Hum. Ecol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00889208· OSTI ID:6964931

Dazhong, W; Pimentel, D

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), Journal Name: Hum. Ecol.; (United States) Vol. 14:1; ISSN HMECA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320301 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Energy Sources
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
AGRICULTURE
ASIA
CHINA
CROPS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY ANALYSIS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FARMS
FERTILIZERS
FUELS
HARVESTING
INDUSTRY
LABOR
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC WASTES
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES