The transition towards a circular economy is a top priority for the sustainable management of soil, water, and food systems. A circular economy concept aims to minimise waste and maximise the reuse and recycling of resources and products, in contrast to the traditional linear approach of "take-make-waste.” In agriculture, adopting circular economy principles and implementing new technologies can drive significant advances in sustainable agriculture, water use efficiency, and soil management strategies and techniques.
While there is growing interest in circular economy approaches in agriculture, there remain significant technological, policy, and social barriers to transition, including technological limitations in recycling and waste management infrastructure, policies favouring linear economic models, lack of awareness and resistance to change among stakeholders, and economic challenges in accessing resources for transitioning to circular practices. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for facilitating the adoption of sustainable circular economy principles in agricultural systems.
This Research Topic aims to explore state-of-the-art advances in soil, water, and crop management practices that enhance ecosystem services in an agroecological framework. By providing a comprehensive overview of current progress and future opportunities for creating a more sustainable and resilient food system, it aims to identify strategies to overcome the barriers between scientists, society, and policymakers, fostering sustainable agricultural systems that are resilient and aligned with circular economy principles.
To achieve this, the Research Topic is inviting full manuscripts from researchers worldwide, especially presenters at the ICWAS conference whose work aligns with the scope of the journal. These manuscripts will undergo the same rigorous peer-review process, ensuring the highest quality of contributions.
The goal is to encourage exceptional work from conference participants and to widely disseminate the latest research findings in agroecology, circular economy, and ecosystem services.
We welcome the submission of original research articles, review papers, perspectives, and commentaries that address these topics. The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, the following subthemes:
• Agroecological, Organic, Regenerative, or Nature-based farming practices for improved soil health and nutrient cycling.
• Digital agriculture and implementation of new technologies for resource and ecosystem management.
• Smart water, reuse enhancement, nutrient recovery, and recycling.
• Carbon sequestration, remediation techniques for soil management, cropping, and amendment applications.
• Resource recovery from agricultural waste for new revenue streams.
• Policy, economic, and social innovations that promote resource management, waste reduction, and circular economy practices in a sustainable ecosystem.
• Case studies of successful circular economy initiatives and practices in agricultural systems.
• Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystem Nexus for a sustainable future.
Keywords:
Circular economy, soil management, Digital agriculture, Food systems, Water reuse
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The transition towards a circular economy is a top priority for the sustainable management of soil, water, and food systems. A circular economy concept aims to minimise waste and maximise the reuse and recycling of resources and products, in contrast to the traditional linear approach of "take-make-waste.” In agriculture, adopting circular economy principles and implementing new technologies can drive significant advances in sustainable agriculture, water use efficiency, and soil management strategies and techniques.
While there is growing interest in circular economy approaches in agriculture, there remain significant technological, policy, and social barriers to transition, including technological limitations in recycling and waste management infrastructure, policies favouring linear economic models, lack of awareness and resistance to change among stakeholders, and economic challenges in accessing resources for transitioning to circular practices. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for facilitating the adoption of sustainable circular economy principles in agricultural systems.
This Research Topic aims to explore state-of-the-art advances in soil, water, and crop management practices that enhance ecosystem services in an agroecological framework. By providing a comprehensive overview of current progress and future opportunities for creating a more sustainable and resilient food system, it aims to identify strategies to overcome the barriers between scientists, society, and policymakers, fostering sustainable agricultural systems that are resilient and aligned with circular economy principles.
To achieve this, the Research Topic is inviting full manuscripts from researchers worldwide, especially presenters at the ICWAS conference whose work aligns with the scope of the journal. These manuscripts will undergo the same rigorous peer-review process, ensuring the highest quality of contributions.
The goal is to encourage exceptional work from conference participants and to widely disseminate the latest research findings in agroecology, circular economy, and ecosystem services.
We welcome the submission of original research articles, review papers, perspectives, and commentaries that address these topics. The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, the following subthemes:
• Agroecological, Organic, Regenerative, or Nature-based farming practices for improved soil health and nutrient cycling.
• Digital agriculture and implementation of new technologies for resource and ecosystem management.
• Smart water, reuse enhancement, nutrient recovery, and recycling.
• Carbon sequestration, remediation techniques for soil management, cropping, and amendment applications.
• Resource recovery from agricultural waste for new revenue streams.
• Policy, economic, and social innovations that promote resource management, waste reduction, and circular economy practices in a sustainable ecosystem.
• Case studies of successful circular economy initiatives and practices in agricultural systems.
• Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystem Nexus for a sustainable future.
Keywords:
Circular economy, soil management, Digital agriculture, Food systems, Water reuse
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.