Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Nitrous oxide emissions from ruminant urine: science and mitigation for intensively managed perennial pastures

Timothy J. Clough, L. M. Cardenas, Johannes Friedl, Benjamin Wolf

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability · 2020

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Summary

This review synthesises current understanding of how ruminant urine contributes to nitrous oxide emissions in intensively managed perennial pastures, and examines mitigation approaches. The authors (as suggested by the 2020 publication date and journal positioning) likely integrate soil microbiological mechanisms, pasture management practices, and emissions quantification to guide both research and on-farm decision-making. The work bridges a gap between fundamental soil science and practical grazing system design.

UK applicability

Highly applicable to UK dairy and sheep farming systems, which rely heavily on perennial pastures and intensively managed grasslands. Findings on urine patch management and mitigation practices are directly relevant to UK livestock producers seeking to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in line with net-zero commitments.

Key measures

Nitrous oxide emissions (N₂O flux); urinary nitrogen; pasture management intensity; mitigation efficacy

Outcomes reported

The paper reviews science on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions arising from ruminant urine deposited on intensively managed perennial pastures, and synthesises mitigation strategies. As suggested by the title and journal scope, it addresses both mechanistic understanding and practical interventions to reduce these emissions.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Pasture-based livestock
DOI
10.1016/j.cosust.2020.07.001
Catalogue ID
MGmoqkn70l-q0s2vz

Topic tags

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