Evaluation of comparative scenarios from different sites of chestnut production using life cycle assessment (LCA): Case study in the Beira Interior region of Portugal

Abstract

The evaluation of the environmental impacts of chestnut production in the Beira Interior region (Portugal) is accessed. The comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed with the use of openLCA software with 16 Environmental Footprint (EF) impact categories retrieved from the AGRIBALYSE database. The system boundary was from “cradle-to-farm gate” and the functional unit was 1 ton of chestnut delivered to consumers (only wholesale buyers). The processes model for the production of agricultural machinery, pesticides, fertilizers, and materials was modeled based on surveys and existing literature. The data was gathered from four different production areas: Serra da Estrela, Malcata, Gardunha, and Plateau area. Each site has two selected representative producers inner 250 km2 square radius environment. The results showed that the average GHG emissions in the low-input group (Estrela and Gardunha) were 1.83 kg CO2-eq/ton with the energy burden (80–89%) as main contribution emissions and in the intensive-input group (Malcata and Plateau) were 2.61 kg CO2-eq/ton with the main contribution source of emissions are fertilizer (76–83%). Sensitivity analysis results indicate shift input material and cultivation activities in chestnut production systems can be possible for all study areas without reducing yield production. The suggestions in this article can be used by farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to adopt new alternative production scenarios.

Keywords

• Food system
• Environmental footprint
• LCA
• AGRIBALYSE
• Alternative scenario