Summary
This study investigated the mechanisms driving nitrous oxide emissions from sheep urine patches on organic soils under extensive grazing management. By identifying nitrification as the rate-limiting process, the research demonstrates that site-specific N2O emission factors may be substantially lower than standard country-level estimates, with implications for more accurate greenhouse gas accounting in UK sheep farming systems.
UK applicability
Given the focus on extensively grazed organic soils and sheep farming, the findings are directly applicable to UK upland and organic farming systems. The revised emission factor derived from this work could improve the accuracy of N2O inventories for UK agriculture and support more evidence-based climate policy for pastoral livestock production.
Key measures
N2O emissions from sheep urine patches; nitrification rates; emission factors (EF); comparison to country-specific excretal EF
Outcomes reported
The study examined N2O emissions from sheep excreta on extensively grazed organic soils, identifying nitrification as a key process controlling emissions. The research reported a 43% reduction in N2O emissions compared to country-specific excretal emission factors.
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