a policy framework for soil carbon management in atlantic grasslands
TRANSCRIPT
A policy framework for soil carbon managementin Atlantic grasslands
Rachel E. Creamer1, Gemma Torres-Sallan2,3, Lilian O’Sullivan2, Gary Lanigan2, Iolanda Simo2, Ken Byrne3, and Rogier P. O. Schulte1*
1. Wageningen University and Research2. Teagasc
3. University of Limerick
WHAT WE HAVE KNOWN FOR A WHILE
Source: European Commission
THE LOW HANGING FRUIT: EFFICIENCY
Can we use land
management to offset
part of our agricultural
emissions?
A NEW POLICY CLIMATE
Can we use land
management to offset
part of our agricultural
emissions?
A NEW POLICY CLIMATE
Can we use land
management to offset
part of our agricultural
emissions?
THE SEARCH FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES
1. Where are the main carbon stores? 3. Can we plug
carbon hotspots?
2. Which areas are most suitable for afforestation?
4. And prevent new ones?
5. Can we find unsaturated carbon sinks in grassland?
Can we use land
management to offset
part of our agricultural
emissions?
NEW OPPORTUNITIES 1: PEATS
NEW OPPORTUNITIES 2: FARM AFFORESTATION
NEW OPPORTUNITIES 3: CARBON HOTSPOTS
Land use“Old emission
factor”
“New emission factor” (IPCC,
2014)[Mg CO2eq ha-1 yr-1]
Forest Land, drained, <50 yr. 2.16 9.53Forest Land, drained, >50 yr. 0 9.53Cropland, drained n.a. 28.97Grassland, drained, nutrient-poor 0.92 19.43Grassland, deep-drained, nutrient-rich 0.92 22.37Grassland, shallow-drained, nutrient-rich 0.92 13.20Peat extraction 0.73 10.27
NEW OPPORTUNITIES 4: EMISSION SENSITIVE SOILS
More trafficable days Loss of carbon
Carbon price
NEW OPPORTUNITIES 5: LONG-TERM CARBON STORAGE
A FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SMART LAND MANAGEMENT
Main carbon store
Plugcarbon
hotspots
Most suitable for afforestation
Optimise efficiency(Carbon Navigator)
Emission sensitive soils: reward non-drainage
Potential unsaturated long-term carbon
sink?