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Project Code [2023IE-NZ470]
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Project title
Modelling and measuring agricultural management on peat soils to enhance removals and sequestration of carbon
Primary Funding Agency
DAFM
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
Lead Organisation
Teagasc
Lead Applicant
Not listed
Project Abstract
Ireland and New Zealand aim to at least halve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and reach net zero carbon by 2050. A significant contribution common to both countries national GHG estimates comes from grassland over drained organic (peat) soils with upper estimates of approximately 9Mt CO2eq and 5.4Mt CO2eq for Ireland and NZ, respectively. These large and uncertain estimates are derived from the application of default IPCC tier 1 emission factors (EFs) to 335,000ha and 167,800ha of peat soils assumed as 100% deep drained grassland for agricultural use. The latest research in Ireland and NZ addresses some key uncertainties around the area of peat soil, drainage depth, nutrient status and lack of national specific EFs associated with these large estimates (Pronger et al., 2022, Aitova et al., 2023 and Tuohy et al., 2023). For policy makers to decide on appropriate carbon sequestration and GHG mitigation actions to implement at national levels, scenario projections of management changes and future climate impacts on these soils that better reflect the nuance of each country are urgently needed. This project aims to assess the use of process-based models (e.g. ECOSSE & DNDC) to predict carbon emissions from agriculturally used peat soils, parameterising them to reflect the peat characteristics and range of management intensities representative of both countries. Scientific knowledge of these soils and data obtained through in-situ carbon (CO2 & CH4) emissions measurement leveraging eddy covariance (EC) tower networks in both countries (NASCO and OzFlux) will be used to validate and test the model predictions of carbon dynamics, improving our understanding of key drivers of emissions (particularly, water table management and inter-annual climatic variability). The project�s underlying foundation is to foster research excellence and development of early career researchers through succession and exchange of expertise and skills between Ireland and New Zealand.
Grant Approved
�1,027,290.00
Research Hub
Climate Change
Research Theme
1. Carbon Stocks, GHG Emissions, Sinks and Management Options
Initial Projected Completion Date
31/03/2028