Using the OVERSEER nutrient budget model to estimate on-farm greenhouse gas emissions

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Wheeler ◽  
S. F. Ledgard ◽  
C. A. M. DeKlein
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Nutrient Budget ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Emission Model ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Budget Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
On Farm

The OVERSEER nutrient budget model is a farm-scale nutrient reporting and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission accounting tool used extensively throughout New Zealand (NZ) by farmers, farm consultants and fertiliser representatives. The model is increasingly being used as a tool for implementing regional council resource management requirements to limit nitrogen (N) and phosphorus losses to waterways. NZ’s main dairy company, Fonterra, also requires dairy farmers to have a nutrient budget as part of the national Clean Streams Accord. This means that a high proportion of NZ farmers can obtain reports of their on-farm GHG emission profile. The GHG emission model is based on models and algorithms used for the NZ GHG national inventory, modified to include a wide range of on-farm management practices. The model estimates methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and presents the results as CO2 equivalents. This paper describes the model and the benefits of combining nutrients budgets and GHG emissions into a single model. It also demonstrates the effects of management practices on a range of outputs, including N leaching and GHG emissions.

First field estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from European soil-dwelling Scarabaeidae larvae targeting the genus Melolontha

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn-Monika Görres ◽  
Claudia Kammann
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Wide Range

<p>Arthropods are a major soil fauna group, and have the potential to substantially influence the spatial and temporal variability of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) sinks and sources. The overall effect of soil-inhabiting arthropods on soil GHG fluxes still remains poorly quantified since the majority of the available data comes from laboratory experiments, is often controversial, and has been limited to a few species. The main objective of this study was to provide first insights into field-level carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>), methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) and nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) emissions of soil-inhabiting larvae of the Scarabaeidae family. Larvae of the genus <em>Melolontha</em> were excavated at various grassland and forest sites in west-central and southern Germany, covering a wide range of different larval developmental stages, and larval activity levels. Excavated larvae were immediately incubated in the field to measure their GHG emissions. Gaseous carbon emissions of individual larvae showed a large inter- and intra-site variability which was strongly correlated to larval biomass. This correlation persisted when upscaling CO<sub>2</sub> and CH<sub>4 </sub>emissions to the plot scale. Field emission estimates for <em>Melolontha</em> spp. were subsequently upscaled to the European level to derive the first regional GHG emission estimates for members of the Scarabaeidae family. Estimates ranged between 10.42 and 409.53 kt CO<sub>2</sub> yr<sup>-1</sup>, and 0.01 and 1.36 kt CH<sub>4</sub> yr<sup>-1</sup>. Larval N<sub>2</sub>O emissions were only sporadically observed and not upscaled. For one site, a comparison of field- and laboratory-based GHG emission measurements was conducted to assess potential biases introduced by transferring Scarabaeidae larvae to artificial environments. Emission strength and variability of captive larvae decreased significantly within two weeks and the correlation between larval biomass and gaseous carbon emissions disappeared, highlighting the importance of field measurements. Overall, our data show that Scarabaeidae larvae can be significant soil GHG sources and should not be neglected in soil GHG flux research.</p>

scholarly journals Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Beef Grazing Systems in Semi-Arid Rangelands of Central Argentina

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 4228 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Nieto ◽  
Olivia Barrantes ◽  
Liliana Privitello ◽  
Ramón Reiné
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Central Argentina ◽  
Arid Rangelands ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Semi Arid

The livestock sector can be a major contributor to the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Within the sector, beef production produces the largest proportion of the livestock sector’s direct emissions. The objective of this study was to assess the on-farm GHG emissions in semi-arid rangelands in Argentina and to identify the relationship between emissions and current farm management practices. A survey recorded detailed information on farm management and characteristics. Assessments of GHG emissions were based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 protocols. The relationship between farm management and GHG emissions were identified using general linear models. Cluster analysis was used to identify groups of farms that differed from others in emissions and farm characteristics. Emissions per product sold were low on farms that had improved livestock care management, rotational grazing, received technical advice, and had high animal and land productivities. Emissions per hectare of farmland were low on farms that had low stocking rates, a low number of grazing paddocks, little or no land dedicated to improved pastures and forage crops, and low land productivity. Our results suggest that the implementation of realistic, relatively easy-to-adopt farming management practices has considerable potential for mitigating the GHG emissions in the semi-arid rangelands of central Argentina.

scholarly journals Eco-efficient agriculture for producing higher yields with lower greenhouse gas emissions: a case study of intensive irrigation wheat production in China

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 16879-16902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. L. Cui ◽  
Y. L. Ye ◽  
W. Q. Ma ◽  
X. P. Chen ◽  
F. S. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Scientific Attention ◽  
On Farm

Abstract. Although the concept of producing higher yields with reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a goal that attracts increasing public and scientific attention, the tradeoff between crop productivity and GHG emissions in intensive agricultural production is not well understood. In this study, we investigated 33 sites of on-farm experiments to evaluate the tradeoff between grain yield and GHG emissions using two systems (conventional practice, CP; high-yielding systems, HY) of intensive irrigation wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in China. Furthermore, we discussed the potential to produce higher yields with lower GHG emissions based on a survey of 2938 farmers. However, in both the HY and CP systems, wheat grain yield response to GHG emissions fit a linear-plateau model, whereas the curve for grain yield from the HY system was always higher than that from the CP system. Compared to the CP system, grain yield was 44% (2.6 Mg ha–1) higher in the HY system, while GHG emissions increased by only 2.5%, and GHG emission intensity was reduced by 29%. The current intensive irrigation wheat system with farmers' practice had a median yield and maximum GHG emission rate of 6.05 Mg ha–1 and 4783 kg CO2 eq ha–1, respectively; however, this system can be transformed to maintain yields while reducing GHG emissions by 40% (5.96 Mg ha–1, and 2890 kg CO2 eq ha–1). Further, the HY system was found to increase grain yield by 41% with a simultaneous reduction in GHG emissions by 38% (8.55 Mg ha–1, and 2961 kg CO2 eq ha–1, respectively). In the future, we suggest moving the tradeoff relationships and calculations from grain yield and GHG emissions, to new measures of productivity and environmental protection using innovative management technologies. This shift in focus is critical to achieve food and environmental security.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Novel Poultry Litter Amendment on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 563
Author(s):  
Kelsey Anderson ◽  
Philip A. Moore ◽  
Jerry Martin ◽  
Amanda J. Ashworth
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
Poultry Facilities

Gaseous emissions from poultry litter causes production problems for producers as well as the environment, by contributing to climate change and reducing air quality. Novel methods of reducing ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in poultry facilities are needed. As such, our research evaluated GHG emissions over a 42 d period. Three separate flocks of 1000 broilers were used for this study. The first flock was used only to produce litter needed for the experiment. The second and third flocks were allocated to 20 pens in a randomized block design with four replicated of five treatments. The management practices studied included an unamended control; a conventional practice of incorporating aluminum sulfate (referred to as alum) at 98 kg/100 m2); a novel litter amendment made from alum mud, bauxite, and sulfuric acid (alum mud litter amendment, AMLA) applied at different rates (49 and 98 kg/100 m2) and methods (surface applied or incorporated). Nitrous oxide emissions were low for all treatments in flocks 2 and 3 (0.40 and 0.37 mg m2 hr−1, respectively). The formation of caked litter (due to excessive moisture) during day 35 and 42 caused high variability in CH4 and CO2 emissions. Alum mud litter amendment and alum did not significantly affect GHGs emissions from litter, regardless of the amendment rate or application method. In fact, litter amendments such as alum and AMLA typically lower GHG emissions from poultry facilities by reducing ventilation requirements to maintain air quality in cooler months due to lower NH3 levels, resulting in less propane use and concomitant reductions in CO2 emissions.

scholarly journals Trade-offs between high yields and greenhouse gas emissions in irrigation wheat cropland in China

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2287-2294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. L. Cui ◽  
L. Wu ◽  
Y. L. Ye ◽  
W. Q. Ma ◽  
X. P. Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Scientific Attention

Abstract. Although the concept of producing higher yields with reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a goal that attracts increasing public and scientific attention, the trade-off between high yields and GHG emissions in intensive agricultural production is not well understood. Here, we hypothesize that there exists a mechanistic relationship between wheat grain yield and GHG emission, and that could be transformed into better agronomic management. A total 33 sites of on-farm experiments were investigated to evaluate the relationship between grain yield and GHG emissions using two systems (conventional practice, CP; high-yielding systems, HY) of intensive winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in China. Furthermore, we discussed the potential to produce higher yields with lower GHG emissions based on a survey of 2938 farmers. Compared to the CP system, grain yield was 39% (2352 kg ha−1) higher in the HY system, while GHG emissions increased by only 10%, and GHG emission intensity was reduced by 21%. The current intensive winter wheat system with farmers' practice had a median yield and maximum GHG emission rate of 6050 kg ha−1 and 4783 kg CO2 eq ha−1, respectively; however, this system can be transformed to maintain yields while reducing GHG emissions by 26% (6077 kg ha−1, and 3555 kg CO2 eq ha−1). Further, the HY system was found to increase grain yield by 39% with a simultaneous reduction in GHG emissions by 18% (8429 kg ha−1, and 3905 kg CO2 eq ha−1, respectively). In the future, we suggest moving the trade-off relationships and calculations from grain yield and GHG emissions to new measures of productivity and environmental protection using innovative management technologies.

scholarly journals Carbon Footprint Assessment of Spanish Dairy Cattle Farms: Effectiveness of Dietary and Farm Management Practices as a Mitigation Strategy

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2083
Author(s):  
Ridha Ibidhi ◽  
Sergio Calsamiglia
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
System Model ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Increase Milk Production

Greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint (CF) were estimated in twelve Spanish dairy farms selected from three regions (Mediterranean, MED; Cantabric, CAN; and Central, CEN) using a partial life cycle assessment through the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM). The functional unit was 1 kg of energy corrected milk (ECM). Methane emissions accounted for the largest contribution to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The average CF (kg CO2-eq/kg of ECM) was 0.84, being the highest in MED (0.98), intermediate in CEN (0.84), and the lowest in CAN (0.67). Two extreme farms were selected for further simulations: one with the highest non-enteric methane (MED1), and another with the highest enteric methane (CAN2). Changes in management scenarios (increase milk production, change manure collection systems, change manure-type storage method, change bedding type and installation of an anaerobic digester) in MED1 were evaluated with the IFSM model. Changes in feeding strategies (reduce the forage: concentrate ratio, improve forage quality, use of ionophores) in CAN2 were evaluated with the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System model. Results indicate that changes in management (up to 27.5% reduction) were more efficient than changes in dietary practices (up to 3.5% reduction) in reducing the carbon footprint.

scholarly journals A Rough Set Based Assessment of the Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Tanzanian Shipping Sector Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Erick P. Massami ◽  
Benitha M. Myamba
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Rough Set ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Sea Transport ◽  
Abatement Strategies ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Emission Reduction Strategies ◽  
Synthetic Assessment

The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions due to transport operations have drastically increased in recent years. The sea transport in particular contributes 2.7 to 3 percent of CO2, a major component of GHG emissions globally. Numerous measures have been undertaken locally and internationally to alleviate the sea transport share of Greenhouse Gases. However, most of these measures will be fruitful if ship investors (e.g., ship owners and operators) would fully employ the GHG emission reduction strategies. Due to the scarcity of the statistical data in this respect, this study therefore presents a rough set synthetic assessment (RSSA) model to GHG emission abatement strategies in the Tanzanian shipping sector. The results of the assessment reveal that the Tanzanian shipping companies engaged in Cabotage trade are aware of the abatement strategies and moderately apply them.

Simulations of greenhouse gas emissions and soil organic carbon with ECOSSE for a rice field in Northern Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Kuhnert ◽  
Viktoria Oliver ◽  
Andrea Volante ◽  
Stefano Monaco ◽  
Yit Arn Teh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Model Experiments ◽  
Below Ground

<p>Rice cultivation has high water consumption and emits large quantities of greenhouse gases. Therefore, rice fields provide great potential to mitigate GHG emissions by modifications to cultivation practices or external inputs. Previous studies showed differences for impacts of alternated wetting and drying (AWD) practices for above-ground and below-ground biomass, which might have long term impacts on soil organic carbon stocks. The objective of this study is to parameterise and evaluate the model ECOSSE for rice simulations based on data from an Italian rice test site where the effects of different water management practices and 12 common European cultivars, on yield and GHG emissions, were investigated. Special focus is on the differences of the impacts on the greenhouse gas emissions for AWD and continuous flooding (CF). The model is calibrated and tested for field measurements and is used for model experiments to explore climate change impacts and long-term effects. Long term carbon storage is of particular interest since it is a suitable mitigation strategy. As experiments showed different impacts of management practices on the below ground biomass, long term model experiments are used to estimate impacts on SOC of the different practices. The measurements also allow an analysis of the impacts of different cultivars and the uncertainty of model approaches using a single data set for calibration.</p>

scholarly journals When Biomass Electricity Demand Prompts Thinnings in Southern US Pine Plantations: A Forest Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Buchholz ◽  
John S. Gunn ◽  
Benktesh Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Forest Service ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Wood Pellet ◽  
Usda Forest Service ◽  
Electricity Grid ◽  
Southern Us ◽  
The Uk

Increasing demand for woody biomass-derived electricity in the UK and elsewhere has resulted in a rapidly expanding wood pellet manufacturing industry in the southern US. Since this demand is driven by climate concerns and an objective to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector, it is crucial to understand the full carbon consequences of wood pellet sourcing, processing, and utilization. We performed a comparative carbon life cycle assessment (LCA) for pellets sourced from three mills in the southern US destined for electricity generation in the UK. The baseline assumptions included GHG emissions of the UK’s 2018 and 2025 target electricity grid mix and feedstock supplied primarily from non-industrial private forest (NIPF) pine plantations augmented with a fraction of sawmill residues. Based on regional expert input, we concluded that forest management practices on the NIPF pine plantations would include timely thinning harvest treatments in the presence of pellet demand. The LCA analysis included landscape carbon stock changes based on USDA Forest Service Forest Vegetation Simulator using current USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis data as the starting condition of supply areas in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. We found that GHG emission parity (i.e., the time when accumulated carbon GHG emissions for the bioenergy scenario equal the baseline scenario) is more than 40 years for pellets produced at each individual pellet mill and for all three pellet mills combined when compared to either the UK’s 2018 electricity grid mix or the UK’s targeted electricity grid mix in 2025. The urgency to mitigate climate change with near-term actions as well as increasing uncertainty with longer-term simulations dictated a focus on the next four decades in the analysis. Even at 50% sawmill residues, GHG emission parity was not reached during the 40 years modeled. Results are most likely conservative since we assume a high share of sawmill residues (ranging from 20 to 50%) and did not include limited hardwood feedstocks as reported in the supply chain which are generally associated with delayed GHG emission parity because of lower growth rates.

scholarly journals Medium-run projections for greenhouse gas emissions arising from agriculture: the case of milk production in Estonia

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Ariva ◽  
Ants Hannes Viira ◽  
Reet Põldaru ◽  
Jüri Roots
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Market Model ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
National Economic ◽  
Model Context ◽  
Global Food

In order to respond to increasing global food demand and provide for national economic growth, the Estonian Dairy Strategy for 2012−2020 aims to achieve a 30% growth in milk production. At the same time, there is a global attempt to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper analyses the medium-term (2015−2020) projections for milk production and associated GHG emissions from dairy cows in Estonia. The FAPRI-GOLD type market model of Estonian agriculture, which is used for projections of agricultural production, was supplemented with a module that helps project GHG emissions. The paper demonstrates the endogenisation of GHG emission factors in a relatively general agricultural market model context. The results imply that increasing milk production by 30% by 2020 would jeopardise Estonia’s commitments with regard to agricultural GHG emissions. However, the average GHG emission per tonne of produced milk will decline, thus reducing the “carbon footprint” of milk production.

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