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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Can pro-environmental behavior increase farmers’ income?—Evidence from arable land quality protection practices in China
ClearHow to incentivize farmers to adopt and recycle high-standard plastic mulch in China: economic subsidies, government regulations or social norms?
A survey of 635 farmers in Gansu Province, China assessed drivers of high-standard plastic mulch adoption and recycling, finding that economic subsidies were more effective than government mandates or social norms in encouraging environmentally responsible mulch management.
Land Tenure, Loans, and Farmers’ Cropland Conservation Behavior: Evidence from Rural Northwest China
This is not directly about microplastics — it is an agricultural economics study examining how land tenure security influences farmers' conservation behavior in rural China, using plastic mulch film recycling as one example of a conservation practice, but not studying microplastic pollution itself.
Does Construction of High-Standard Farmland Improve Recycle Behavior of Agricultural Film? Evidence from Sichuan, China
Researchers found that farmers participating in high-standard farmland construction programs in Sichuan, China were 16% more likely to recycle agricultural plastic film, suggesting that rural infrastructure investment can improve plastic waste management behaviors.
Straw Return with Biodegradable Film Mulch: A Synergistic Cultivation Measure with Environmental and Economic Benefits Based on Life Cycle Assessment
Researchers used life cycle assessment to evaluate straw return combined with biodegradable plastic film mulch as a cultivation strategy for Chinese farmland, comparing environmental and economic outcomes against conventional practices. The combination reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved soil health while remaining cost-competitive.
Individual and Village Level Factors Affect Farmers’ Satisfaction with Sustainable Rural Development Practices: Evidence from Guangdong Province in China
A survey of Chinese farmers examined how individual and village-level factors influence satisfaction with sustainable rural development programs. Factors such as income, community cohesion, and quality of local services significantly affected satisfaction levels. Understanding farmer perspectives is essential for designing rural policies that encourage sustainable land and waste management.
Effects of Mulching on Maize Yield and Evapotranspiration in the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China
This study examined how plastic film mulching affects maize yield and water use in northwest China's Heihe River Basin, finding that mulching increases yields and reduces evaporation. However, widespread plastic mulch use is also a major source of microplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
Impact of Management Strategies on Reducing of Mulching Film Residues Pollution in Arid Regions
Researchers examined the impact of different management strategies — including increased polyethylene film recycling rates and adoption of biodegradable mulch films — on reducing mulching film residue pollution in arid agricultural regions. The study found that combining recycling incentives with biodegradable film adoption significantly reduced soil plastic accumulation, supporting sustainable agricultural development in water-limited dryland farming systems.
The Impact of Resource Spatial Mismatch on the Configuration Analysis of Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity
This study analyzed how the spatial distribution of agricultural resources affects green farming productivity in China from 2005 to 2021. While not directly about microplastics, it found that pollutant emissions from fertilizers and petroleum products significantly hinder sustainable agriculture. The findings are indirectly relevant because agricultural plastic waste, including mulch films, is a major source of microplastic contamination in farmland soil.
Why do farmers care about rented land? Investigating the context of farmland tenure
Researchers investigated why some farmers who rent land invest less in soil conservation than landowners, finding that rental duration, relationship quality, and plot characteristics all matter. Soil degradation on rented farmland can accelerate microplastic accumulation from plastic mulch films that tenants may be less motivated to properly remove.
Pro-Environmental Behaviors and Environmental Improvement
A survey of Chinese college students found that perceived environmental improvement positively influenced pro-environmental behaviors including green travel, reduced plastic bag use, garbage sorting, and energy conservation. Better perceived environmental quality increased environmental expectations and motivation to act.
Greening agriculture as a response to climate change: a case study from China over 2000–2021
This paper is not relevant to microplastics research; it assesses green agriculture development and carbon efficiency in China's Qinghai Province from 2000 to 2021 using economic and environmental modeling, with no connection to plastic pollution.
The effects of biodegradable mulch film on the growth, yield, and water use efficiency of cotton and maize in an arid region
Researchers compared biodegradable and conventional plastic mulch films in Chinese agriculture, finding that biodegradable films improved water use efficiency and crop yield comparably to conventional plastic while reducing long-term plastic accumulation in soil. Degradable mulch films represent a promising strategy to reduce agricultural microplastic pollution.
Optimizing microplastic pollution in a terrestrial environment: a case for soil-biodegradable mulches
This paper develops an economic model to analyze when and why farmers would choose to adopt biodegradable plastic mulches over conventional polyethylene mulches, given that biodegradable options reduce long-term soil plastic accumulation but cost more upfront. The model finds that policies like higher landfill disposal fees and corrective taxes can tip the economic balance toward adoption of biodegradable alternatives. The study is notable as the first dynamic economic framework for addressing agricultural microplastic pollution, offering policymakers concrete tools to reduce plastic contamination of farmland soils.
Watershed-Based Governance for Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution: Empirical Insights from the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Researchers examined how China's 'Guiding Opinions on Strengthening Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Prevention and Control' affected pollutant emissions across the Yangtze River Economic Belt, using econometric analysis across three governance pathways. They found the policy significantly reduced emissions by curbing mulch film use and consolidating breeding farms, but had no measurable effect on rural domestic pollution due to pre-existing infrastructure investments.
Potential sources and occurrence of macro-plastics and microplastics pollution in farmland soils: A typical case of China
This review examines plastic pollution in Chinese farmland soils, finding that agricultural practices like mulch film use and sewage sludge application are major sources of both macro- and microplastics that accumulate over time.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in soils with different agricultural practices: Importance of sources with internal origin and environmental fate
Microplastic abundance and characteristics were examined in soils representing four agricultural practice types in Chinese farmland to evaluate the influence of land use on plastic particle accumulation. Microplastic concentrations and polymer types varied by agricultural practice, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation water source as key drivers of farmland soil contamination.
Effects of Conservation Tillage on Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity in Black Soil Region: Evidence from Heilongjiang Province, China
This study evaluated the effects of conservation tillage practices on agricultural green total factor productivity, finding that reduced tillage improves environmental efficiency metrics but requires management adjustments to maintain yields.
Occurrence status of microplastics in main agricultural areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
Agricultural soils in Xinjiang, China, were surveyed for microplastic contamination, revealing widespread presence in major farming regions where plastic mulch films and irrigation systems are heavily used. The study provides one of the first regional-scale assessments of microplastic pollution in this important agricultural area.
Assessment of microplastic ecological risk and environmental carrying capacity of agricultural soils based on integrated characterization: A case study
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in agricultural soils of the Tarim River Basin in China, finding concentrations ranging from 0 to 4,000 particles per kilogram. Polyethylene and polypropylene from agricultural mulch films and drip irrigation were the dominant plastics found. Early warning models predict that polyethylene and polypropylene levels may approach environmental carrying capacity thresholds in the near future, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to manage plastic pollution in farming regions.
Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands
Microplastic distribution across six types of farmland land use was surveyed from soils in five Chinese provinces to determine how agricultural practices shape soil microplastic contamination. The study found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by land-use type, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation practices as key contributing factors.