Farm scale nitrous oxide measurement

We  are simultaneously measuring paddock-scale emissions of nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane from dairy farms emissions using eddy covariance. This allows us to determine whether mitigation practices increase or decrease net greenhouse gas emissions so we can avoid unwanted pollution swapping.

We are using a split footprint technique to directly compare adjacent paddocks of a working farm.

The current mitigation strategies we are testing are:

1. Inclusion of plantain in the sward for reducing nitrous oxide emissions while maintaining carbon stocks.
2. Addition of ground rock (Dunite) to capture carbon dioxide through enhanced rock weathering and reduce nitrous oxide emissions. In partnership with Terry Isson.

Recent papers:

Wall, A.M.; Wecking, A.R.; Goodrich, J.P.; Pronger, J.; Campbell, D.I.; Morcom, C.P.; Schipper, L.A. (2023) Paddock-scale carbon and greenhouse gas budgets in the first year following the renewal of an intensively grazed perennial pasture. Soil and Tillage. 234, 105814.

Wecking, A.R.; Cave, V.M.; Liáng, L.L.; Wall, A.M.; Luo, J.; Campbell, D.I.; Schipper, L.A. (2021) Novel injection technique: using a field-based quantum cascade laser for the analysis of gas samples derived from static chambers. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques

Goodrich, J.P.; Wall, A.M.; Campbell, D.I.; Fletcher, D.; Wecking, A.R.; Schipper, L.A. (2021) Improved gap filling approach for N2O fluxes allows determination of separate annual budgets and uncertainties for two adjacent grazed pastures from one flux tower. Agriculture and Forest Meteorology. 297: 108280.

Wecking, A.R.; Campbell, D.I.; Wall, A.M. Liang, L.L.; Lindsey, S.: Luo, J.; Schipper, L.A. (2020). Reconciling annual nitrous oxide emissions of an intensively grazed dairy pasture determined by eddy covariance and emission factors. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 287: 106646.

Liang, L.L; Campbell, D.I.; Wall, A.M.; Schipper, L.A. (2018) Pattern and Regulation of N2O Fluxes from Grazed Pasture using Eddy Covariance Measurements. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment. 268:171-180.