A policy framework for soil carbon managementin Atlantic grasslands

Rachel E. Creamer1, Gemma Torres-Sallan2,3, Lilian O’Sullivan2, Gary Lanigan2, Iolanda Simo2, Ken Byrne3, and Rogier P. O. Schulte1*

1. Wageningen University and Research2. Teagasc

3. University of Limerick

WHAT WE HAVE KNOWN FOR A WHILE

Source: European Commission

THE LOW HANGING FRUIT: EFFICIENCY

Can we use land

management to offset

part of our agricultural

emissions?

A NEW POLICY CLIMATE

Can we use land

management to offset

part of our agricultural

emissions?

A NEW POLICY CLIMATE

Can we use land

management to offset

part of our agricultural

emissions?

THE SEARCH FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES

1. Where are the main carbon stores? 3. Can we plug

carbon hotspots?

2. Which areas are most suitable for afforestation?

4. And prevent new ones?

5. Can we find unsaturated carbon sinks in grassland?

Can we use land

management to offset

part of our agricultural

emissions?

NEW OPPORTUNITIES 1: PEATS

NEW OPPORTUNITIES 2: FARM AFFORESTATION

NEW OPPORTUNITIES 3: CARBON HOTSPOTS

Land use“Old emission

factor”

“New emission factor” (IPCC,

2014)[Mg CO2eq ha-1 yr-1]

Forest Land, drained, <50 yr. 2.16 9.53Forest Land, drained, >50 yr. 0 9.53Cropland, drained n.a. 28.97Grassland, drained, nutrient-poor 0.92 19.43Grassland, deep-drained, nutrient-rich 0.92 22.37Grassland, shallow-drained, nutrient-rich 0.92 13.20Peat extraction 0.73 10.27

NEW OPPORTUNITIES 4: EMISSION SENSITIVE SOILS

More trafficable days Loss of carbon

Carbon price

NEW OPPORTUNITIES 5: LONG-TERM CARBON STORAGE

A FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SMART LAND MANAGEMENT

Main carbon store

Plugcarbon

hotspots

Most suitable for afforestation

Optimise efficiency(Carbon Navigator)

Emission sensitive soils: reward non-drainage

Potential unsaturated long-term carbon

sink?