Canadian environmental sustainability report published

Excerpt

In 1993, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada initiated the Agri-Environmental Indicator Project. Most work was carried out by the department's Environment Bureau and Research Branch. Results are impressively presented in a colorful and easy to read and understand report that is fithfdly reproduced, including the color, in the electronic version.

Objectives of the report are to answer questions such as: To what extent do farmers use environmentally sound management practices? How are environmental conditions and trends within agriculture changing over time, and how can such changes be explained? What areas and resources remain at significant environmental risk? Answers to these questions relied on the concept of agri-environmental indicators-measures of environmental conditions, risks, changes, and management practices.

Indicators are related to farm management, soil and water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, agroecosystem diversity, and production intensity. A total of 14 indicators-based on soil erosion, nutrients and pesticides, greenhouse gases, wildlife habitat, energy, and soil carbon, salinization, and compaction-were developed.

Each indicator is reported following a standard format: first …