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Project Code [2010-CCRP-MS-1.3]

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Project title

Carbon loss from drained organic soils in agriculture use

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Christoph Muller

Project Abstract

In reporting carbon (C) emissions from grassland on organic soils, the Republic of Ireland (ROI) currently uses the Tier 1 default value of 0.25 t/C/ha. This value is at variance with EFs used by some EU Member States and suggests that the ROI may have underestimated C emissions from this land use category (LUC). A progression to Tier 2 and 3 reporting levels has been recommended, where individual countries can produce country specific EFs and improved spatial data. In this project, we propose to (1) review existing literature on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fluvial C losses and land use management of grassland on organic soils, (2) aim to provide improved spatial resolution of the LUC, (3) quantify the gaseous fluxes of CO2, CH4, N2O at four grassland sites in the ROI, (4) quantify and characterise fluvial C losses (DOC, POC, pCO2, DIC), (5) develop EFs for CO2 and CH4 and (6) assess the potential of mitigation measures to reduce C losses from this LUC. This project will contribute significantly to national inventory reporting by allowing ROI to progress towards a higher Tier reporting level for this LUC as well as providing a comprehensive overview of C dynamics in organic soils.

Grant Approved

�218,841.20

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sinks, and Management Systems

Start Date

01/01/2011

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/12/2012