Farming for a better climate by improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (FarmClim)

Wien

2012

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

16905

200177468

FarmClim is a project that assesses N and GHG fluxes in Austrian agriculture and proposes measures for improvement. Those measures will undergo an economic assessment. The IPCC default emission factor for soil N2O emissions will be reviewed and improved including the development of regional concepts to implement mitigation measures. IPCC reporting will be improved and uncertainties be reduced. FarmClim covers the topic in a multi- and interdisciplinary approach including nationally and internationally highly recognised experts from science, reporting and commercial farming. The inclusion of the stakeholders` views at a very early project state will contribute significantly to closing the science-policy gap in the field of climate friendly farming. The FarmClim consortium comprises the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, the Austrian Umweltbundesamt GmbH , the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Austria and the Karl Franzens University, Graz. Nitrogen positively contributes to food and energy security, contributing to increasing yields at constant global agricultural land use. Human activity has doubled the level of N in circulation, largely as a result of fertilizer application, fossil-fuel burning, and increased livestock and manure production.A better understanding of the interactions of human-induced formation of reactive N and natural and managed ecosystems is an essential component to achieve sustainability.