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Water scarcity and fish imperilment driven by beef production

Author

Listed:
  • Brian D. Richter

    (Sustainable Waters
    University of Virginia)

  • Dominique Bartak

    (Water Asset Management)

  • Peter Caldwell

    (USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station)

  • Kyle Frankel Davis

    (University of Delaware
    University of Delaware
    Columbia University)

  • Peter Debaere

    (University of Virginia)

  • Arjen Y. Hoekstra

    (University of Twente
    National University of Singapore)

  • Tianshu Li

    (Nanjing Audit University)

  • Landon Marston

    (Kansas State University)

  • Ryan McManamay

    (Baylor University)

  • Mesfin M. Mekonnen

    (University of Nebraska)

  • Benjamin L. Ruddell

    (Northern Arizona University)

  • Richard R. Rushforth

    (Northern Arizona University)

  • Tara J. Troy

    (Lehigh University
    University of Victoria)

Abstract

Human consumption of freshwater is now approaching or surpassing the rate at which water sources are being naturally replenished in many regions, creating water shortage risks for people and ecosystems. Here we assess the impact of human water uses and their connection to water scarcity and ecological damage across the United States, identify primary causes of river dewatering and explore ways to ameliorate them. We find irrigation of cattle-feed crops to be the greatest consumer of river water in the western United States, implicating beef and dairy consumption as the leading driver of water shortages and fish imperilment in the region. We assess opportunities for alleviating water scarcity by reducing cattle-feed production, finding that temporary, rotational fallowing of irrigated feed crops can markedly reduce water shortage risks and improve ecological sustainability. Long-term water security and river ecosystem health will ultimately require Americans to consume less beef that depends on irrigated feed crops.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian D. Richter & Dominique Bartak & Peter Caldwell & Kyle Frankel Davis & Peter Debaere & Arjen Y. Hoekstra & Tianshu Li & Landon Marston & Ryan McManamay & Mesfin M. Mekonnen & Benjamin L. Ruddell , 2020. "Water scarcity and fish imperilment driven by beef production," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(4), pages 319-328, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:3:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1038_s41893-020-0483-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-0483-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Sonali Shukla McDermid & Matthew Hayek & Dale W. Jamieson & Galina Hale & David Kanter, 2023. "Research needs for a food system transition," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(4), pages 1-15, April.

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