Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Towards Country-Specific Nitrous Oxide Emission Factors for Manures Applied to Arable and Grassland Soils in the UK

R. E. Thorman, F. A. Nicholson, K. Topp, Madeleine J. Bell, L. M. Cardenas, David R. Chadwick, Joanna M. Cloy, T. H. Misselbrook, Robert M. Rees, Catherine J. Watson, J. R. Williams

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · 2020

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Summary

This multi-site field study, conducted across six representative UK locations between 2011 and 2013, developed country-specific N₂O emission factors for six common livestock manure types applied to arable and grassland soils. The research addresses a significant data gap in UK agricultural greenhouse gas inventories by providing regionally calibrated emission estimates that account for variation in soil type, season, and management practice. These findings are intended to enhance the accuracy and granularity of national N₂O inventory calculations and deepen understanding of the environmental and soil conditions driving manure-derived emissions.

UK applicability

The findings directly apply to UK agricultural practice and policy, as the study was specifically designed to provide country-specific emission factors for use in UK national greenhouse gas inventories. The results enable more accurate and locally-relevant N₂O accounting in UK farm emissions reporting and environmental compliance.

Key measures

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission factors (kg N₂O-N per kg N applied) by manure type, soil type, season, and incorporation method

Outcomes reported

The study quantified nitrous oxide emission factors for six common livestock manure types applied to arable and grassland soils across six representative UK sites. N₂O emissions were measured following both autumn and spring applications using typical incorporation methods.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.3389/fsufs.2020.00062
Catalogue ID
BFmobghqjf-7x57bb

Topic tags

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