Environmental impacts of farms integrating aquaculture and agriculture in Cameroon

Four farms integrating aquaculture and agriculture in the western highlands of Cameroun were analysed from 2005-2007 using Life Cycle Assessment (I.CA) to better understand the contribution of fish-pond systems to regional sustainable development. LCA was conducted according to previous studies on aquaculture production using economic allocation and one tonne of fish production as the functional unit. The system boundary included on-farm processes, production of feed and fertiliser, fingerlings, and transportation at all stages. Dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus were evaluated using a nutrient mass-balance modelling approach. Fertilisation of ponds with manure and crop by-products increased nutrient cycling; nevertheless, low quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus were assimilated by the fish. The main processes contributing to impacts were pig-manure fertilisation followed by feeding of wheat bran. Potential Eutrophication impact per tonne of fish produced was higher for these farms than that of other aquatic production systems due to the low efficiency of the system and the origin of nutritive inputs.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Efole Ewoukem, T., Aubin, Joël, Tomedi Eyango Tabi, Minette, Mikolasek, Olivier, Corson, Michael S., Tchoumboue, Joseph, Van Der Werf, Hayo M.G., Ombredane, Dominique
Format:	conference_item biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	s.n.
Subjects:	M12 - Production de l'aquaculture, P01 - Conservation de la nature et ressources foncières,
Online Access:	http://agritrop.cirad.fr/563574/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/563574/1/document_563574.pdf
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