# Simulation dataset of annual crop growth, GHG emission and SOC stock dynamics under current and projected climate conditions for major crops with current and reduced fertiliser inputs in Southwest, England

## TL;DR

This study simulates crop growth and environmental impacts under different fertilizer use and climate scenarios in southwest England.

## Contribution

A novel integrated modeling approach was used to simulate crop growth, GHG emissions, and SOC stock dynamics under varying fertilizer inputs and climate scenarios.

## Key findings

- Modelled annual estimates of crop yields and biomass were generated for 48 combinations of soil types, climate conditions, and fertilizer inputs.
- Simulated data included emissions of nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon, along with SOC stock changes in topsoil.
- The dataset can support analysis of climate resilience, nutrient use efficiency, and cost-benefit assessments.

## Abstract

For mitigating the unintended environmental impacts associated with intensive farming across the world, it is crucial to understand the complex impacts of potential reductions in fertiliser use on multiple ecosystem services, including crop production, GHG emissions and changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Using site specific spatial data and information, a novel integrated modelling approach using established agroecosystem models (SPACSYS and RothC) was implemented to evaluate the impacts of various fertiliser reductions (10 %, 30 % and 50 %) under current / baseline and projected (RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) climate scenarios in a study catchment in southwest England. 48 unique combinations of soil types, climate conditions and fertiliser inputs were evaluated for five major arable crops (winter wheat, maize, winter barley, spring barley, winter oilseed rape) plus ryegrass. Modelled annual estimates of crop yields and biomass, emissions of gases with warming potentials (nitrous oxide, methane, carbon) and SOC stocks in the topsoil (0–30 cm) were tabulated for all combinations considered. These simulated data series could be further analysed to evaluate inter-annual variations and their implications for climate resilience and combined with additional data to quantify nutrient use efficiency and undertake cost- benefit analysis, and to contribute to inter-regional comparisons of fertiliser management at broad scale.