The chaotic distribution and dispersal of phosphorus (P) used in food systems (defined here as disorderly disruptions to the P cycle) is harming our environment beyond acceptable limits. An analysis of P stores and flows across Europe in 2005 showed that high fertiliser P inputs relative to productive outputs was driving low system P efficiency (38 % overall). Regional P imbalance (P surplus) and system P losses were highly correlated to total system P inputs and animal densities, causing unnecessary P accumulation in soils and rivers. Reducing regional P surpluses to zero increased system P efficiency (+ 16 %) and decreased total P losses by 35 %, but required a reduction in system P inputs of ca. 40 %, largely as fertiliser. We discuss transdisciplinary and transformative solutions that tackle the P chaos by collective stakeholder actions across the entire food value chain. Lowering system P demand and better regional governance of P resources appear necessary for more efficient and sustainable food systems.

中文翻译：

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致力于解决食品系统造成的磷混乱。

食品系统中所使用的磷（P）的混乱分布和散布（此处定义为对P周期的无序破坏）正在损害我们的环境，使其超出可接受的范围。对2005年欧洲P储量和流量的分析表明，相对于生产性产出而言，高肥料P投入相对于系统P效率低（总体为38％）。区域磷不平衡（磷过剩）和系统磷的损失与系统总磷输入和动物密度高度相关，从而导致土壤和河流中不必要的磷积累。将区域P剩余量减少到零，可以提高系统P效率（+ 16％），并使总P损失减少35％，但需要将系统P输入减少约。40％，主要用作肥料。我们讨论了跨学科和变革性的解决方案，这些解决方案通过整个食品价值链中的利益相关者集体行动来解决P混乱。降低系统对磷的需求以及对磷资源进行更好的区域治理似乎对于提高粮食体系的效率和可持续性是必要的。