Interdisciplinary Model Development for Land-Related Sustainable Development Goals Analysis

Land is a vital resource. Improper or excessive use as well as droughts or erosion have caused land degradation. Due to increasing global population, damaging extreme weather events, westernizing dietary habit, non-decreasing food loss and waste, food shortage is very likely to occur in the near future. However, changing natural land into agricultural use may not only intensify land degradation, but also increase greenhouse gas emissions. Since efforts on interdisciplinary research have been made to address proper land use under the goal of achieving global net zero emissions, zero hunger, and maintaining biodiversity, it is necessary that Taiwan also build the capacity to contribute to the global sustainable development goals. The purpose of this study is to establish a systematic approach to support decisions of sustainable land resource utilization and agriculture and livestock production. First of all, an interdisciplinary model LandNET (Land and Nutrient, Emission, Trade) is developed. Then, the effects of changed land uses under different climate, social, and economic scenarios on the three aspects are analyzed and compared with the results of various countries to assist decision-making. Through the integration of natural sciences and social sciences, climate change mitigation and adjustment, and opinions from researcher and stakeholders, the co-designed, co-produced, co-delivered model provide comprehensive implications to sustainable development of land and agriculture. In addition, the results of the study also contribute to the sustainable development goals of Taiwan on greenhouse gas reduction, national land plans, sustainable land use, food security and sustainable food production systems.