Environmental Effects of Agricultural ProductionServices: A Case Study of ChemicalFertilizer Reduction in China

Chinese folk proverbs say, "Fish flourish in water, and seedlings thrive with fertilizer".Chemical fertilizers serve as the "lifeblood" of grain, playing a pivotal role in boosting crop yields and ensuring food security [1].In China, chemical fertilizers contribute more than 40% to food production, thereby supporting the nourishment of 22% of the global population using only approximately 9% of the world's arable land [2, 3].However, on the "other side of the coin" the overuse of chemical fertilizers in many developing countries, such as China, has resulted in a range of challenges, including soil degradation [4], water quality pollution [5], greenhouse gas emissions [6], biological diversity reduction [7], and adverse impacts on human health [8].Reducing excessive chemical fertilizers is essential for conserving ecological resources, ensuring food security, and reducing pollution [9,10].In order to mitigate the negative impacts of chronic over-fertilization and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, countries