Sources of nitrous oxide emissions from agriculturally managed peatlands

Summary

This analysis used machine learning to synthesise global N₂O observational data from managed peatlands, distinguishing contributions from fertiliser nitrogen and peat decomposition. For croplands, fertiliser accounted for 121.6 kt N₂O-N year⁻¹ of total emissions of 401.0 kt N year⁻¹; for grasslands, only 4.6 kt of 64.0 kt total. The study concludes that peatland rewetting is generally more effective than fertiliser reduction for mitigating N₂O on grasslands, whilst both strategies show promise for tropical croplands.

UK applicability

The findings are relevant to UK peatland management, particularly in Scotland and northern England where extensive peatland is under agricultural use. However, the study's global approach and emphasis on tropical croplands means localised UK field validation and climate-zone-specific analysis would strengthen applicability to temperate peatland management policy.

Key measures

N₂O emissions (kt N year⁻¹), fertiliser-induced N₂O emission factors (%), N₂O emission reduction potential from 20% fertiliser reduction and rewetting scenarios

Outcomes reported

The study quantified global N₂O emissions from agriculturally managed peatlands and apportioned emissions between fertilizer application and peat decomposition using machine learning and observational data. It modelled the effectiveness of two mitigation strategies—fertilizer reduction and rewetting—across croplands and grasslands.

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