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Regional Characteristics of Livestock and Poultry Manure Production and Sustainable Resource Utilisation Technologies in China—A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Xuan Ye

    (School of Environment and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, 318 Liuhe Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310023, China)

  • Cheng Shen

    (School of Environment and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, 318 Liuhe Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310023, China
    Key Laboratory of Recycling and Eco-Treatment of Waste Biomass of Zhejiang Province, 318 Liuhe Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310023, China)

  • Jin Zhang

    (School of Environment and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, 318 Liuhe Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310023, China
    Key Laboratory of Recycling and Eco-Treatment of Waste Biomass of Zhejiang Province, 318 Liuhe Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310023, China)

Abstract

China’s livestock farming scale rose from 54.4% in 2020 to 73.2% in 2023, increasing annual manure production to 3.8 billion tons and greenhouse gas emissions to 4–6 billion t carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 -eq). Manure management has thus become a key barrier to agricultural pollution control and carbon reduction goals. This study analyses regional differences in manure generation, showing that East and Central China—comprising less than 40% of the national land area—bear over 48% of total manure and about 50% of N and P loads, whereas Northeast and Northwest China have surplus cropland absorption capacity. This reveals a clear spatial mismatch between manure production and land carrying capacity. By reviewing major treatment technologies (aerobic composting, anaerobic digestion) and utilisation pathways (fertiliser use, energy recovery) and integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) with geographic information system (GIS)-based spatial evaluation, this study highlights the advantages of technology coupling strategies. For example, anaerobic digestion combined with composting can reduce net climate impacts by 21%, and regional circular models cut full-cycle carbon footprints by 34.44%. The results underscore the need for GIS-supported spatial LCA to match technologies with regional conditions, providing a scientific basis for advancing livestock manure management and China’s green agricultural transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuan Ye & Cheng Shen & Jin Zhang, 2026. "Regional Characteristics of Livestock and Poultry Manure Production and Sustainable Resource Utilisation Technologies in China—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:4:p:1844-:d:1862159
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