Summary
This peer-reviewed study examined the soil biochemical pathways driving nitrous oxide emissions from sheep excreta deposited on extensively grazed organic soils in the United Kingdom. By identifying nitrification as the rate-limiting step in N2O production from urine patches, the authors developed a process-based emissions factor that substantially reduces N2O estimates (by ~43%) relative to conventional country-specific excreta factors. The findings suggest that accounting for soil-specific nitrification dynamics could improve the accuracy of livestock greenhouse gas inventories.
UK applicability
These findings are directly applicable to UK livestock farming systems, particularly organic and extensive grazing operations on organic-rich soils. The research supports refinement of UK and Defra greenhouse gas emission factors for pastoral sheep systems, with potential implications for farm-level carbon accounting and climate mitigation policy.
Key measures
N2O emissions (%) from sheep urine patches; nitrification rates; emissions factors (EF) for excreta; comparison of process-based versus country-specific EF
Outcomes reported
The study investigated the mechanisms driving N2O emissions from sheep urine patches deposited on extensively grazed organic soils, with particular focus on nitrification as a rate-limiting process. The research found that adopting a process-based emissions factor reduced N2O estimates by approximately 43% compared to country-specific excreta emissions factors.
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