Evaluation of factors affecting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction potential in cropland and grassland with organic soils

 European Regional development Fund specific support measure 1.1.1.1 Support for applied research, project application 5th selection round agreement No.  1.1.1.1/21/A/031

Total eligible costs 485,060.17 EUR, incl. ERDF support 397,555.31 EUR, state budget 51,125.33 EUR, applicant co-financing 36,379.53 EUR
Project duration is 23 months

The direct objective of the project is to elaborate tools for modelling of GHG emissions (CO2, N2O and CH4) from organic soils in cropland and grassland and to develop land use, management and climate determined solutions for reduction of GHG emissions from drained and rewetted organic soils in cropland and grassland. The project is aimed on more efficient utilization of land resources, sustainable intensification and increase of competitiveness of agriculture by contribution to climate neutrality target with highly efficient measures. The project will contribute to RIS3 development priorities in the fields of raising of critical mass of knowledge and human resources in the field of "Knowledge-intensive bio-economics".

Keywords: organic soils, greenhouse gas emissions, cropland, grassland, climate neutrality

The project implementation is split into 6 actions:

1. Activity data analysis – evaluation of existing soil, land use, land use change, carbon input, moisture regime and crop production data sources.
2. Implementation of selected climate change mitigation measures in selected demo sites.
3. Improvement of activity data for modelling of soil GHG emissions and carbon turnover from organic soils in cropland and grazing land.
4. GHG measurements in climate cameras and demo sites.
5. Elaboration of tier 3 (modelling) approach for accounting of GHG emissions and carbon turnover.
6. Scientific reporting and publishing.

The main outputs of the project:

1. Catalogue of climate change mitigation measures for organic soils in cropland and grassland.
2. Ready to use activity data for identification and characterization of organic soils and further development of tier 3 compatible data sets.
3. A set of continuously managed long term demonstration plots.
4. Wall to wall activity data sets for calculation of GHG emissions from organic soils in cropland and grassland in 1970, 1990, 2005–2009 and post-2017 and data interpolation methodology.
5. National forest inventory activity data sets for calculation of GHG emissions from organic soils in cropland and grassland in 1970, 1990–2022 and beyond.
6. Innovative methodology for projections of changes in area of organic soils and methodology for projections of mineralization of organic soils at a single field level using high resolution terrain data and soil maps.
7. Model for calculation of GHG emissions and tools for integration the model with the activity data provided by National forest inventory.
8. Specifications and examples of activity data sets for application of the model with National forest inventory and other spatial data.
9. Recommendations for implementation of selected climate change mitigation measures in cropland and grassland with organic soils.
10. Six manuscripts of peer reviewed articles.
11. Three presentations in international scientific conferences.
12. Workshop for the project target groups.

Actualities

1. 31.07.2023. Summary of the Project results and actualities
2. 31.10.2023. Summary of Project results
3. 31.10.2023. Policy brief