Managing field margins for biodiversity and carbon sequestration: a Great Britain case study

Abstract. Field margins are a valuable resource in the farmed landscape, providing numerous environmental benefits. We present a preliminary analysis of the carbon mitigation potential of different field margin management options for Great Britain, calculated using data from long-term experiments and literature estimates. The carbon sequestration potential of the individual options investigated here varies from 0.1 to 2.4% of 1990 UK CO₂-C emissions, or 0.7–20% of the Quantified Emission Limitation Reduction Commitment (QELRC). The scenarios investigated covered three possible margin widths and options for the management of margins at each width (viz. grass strips, hedgerows and tree strips). Scenarios involving margin widths of 2, 6 or 20 m would require approximately 2.3, 6.7 or 21.3% of the total arable area of Great Britain, respectively. Scenarios including tree strips offered the greatest potential for carbon sequestration, since large amounts would be accumulated in above-ground biomass in addition to that in soil. We also accounted for the possible impacts of changed land management on trace gas fluxes, which indicated that any scenario involving a change from arable to grass strip, hedgerow or tree strip would significantly reduce N₂O emissions, and thus further increase carbon mitigation potential. There would also be considerable potential for including the scenarios investigated here with other strategies for the alternative management of UK arable land to identify optimal combinations. We assumed that it would take 50–100 years for soil carbon to reach a new equilibrium following a land use change. More detailed analyses need to be conducted to include environmental benefits, socioeconomic factors and the full system carbon balance.     

Mitigation of nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from swine wastewater treatment in an aerobic bioreactor packed with carbon fibers

Mitigation of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from swine wastewater treatment was demonstrated in an aerobic bioreactor packed with carbon fibers (CF reactor). The CF reactor had a demonstrated advantage in mitigating N₂O emission and avoiding NOx (NO₃ + NO₂) accumulation. The N₂O emission factor was 0.0003 g N₂O‐N/gTN‐load in the CF bioreactor compared to 0.03 gN₂O‐N/gTN‐load in an activated sludge reactor (AS reactor). N₂O and CH₄ emissions from the CF reactor were 42 g‐CO₂ eq/m³/day, while those from the AS reactor were 725 g‐CO₂ eq/m³/day. The dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the CF reactor removed an average of 156 mg/L of the NH₄‐N, and accumulated an average of 14 mg/L of the NO₃‐N. In contrast, the DIN in the AS reactor removed an average 144 mg/L of the NH₄‐N and accumulated an average 183 mg/L of the NO₃‐N. NO₂‐N was almost undetectable in both reactors.     

Soil CO2 and N2O Emissions in Maize Growing Season Under Different Fertilizer Regimes in an Upland Red Soil Region of South China

Upland red soils have been identified as major CO2 and N2O sources induced by human activities such as fertilization. To monitor characteristics of soil surface CO2 and N2O fluxes in cropland ecosystems after continuous fertilizer applications over decades and to separate the respective contributions of root and heterotrophic respiration to the total soil CO2 and N2O fluxes, the measurements of soil surface CO2 and N2O fluxes throughout the maize growing season in 2009 were carried out based on a fertilization experiment （from 1990） through of the maize （Zea mays L.） growing season in red soil in southern China. Five fertilization treatments were chosen from the experiment for study： zero-fertilizer application （CK）, nitrogen-phosphorus- potassium （NPK） fertilizer application only, pig manure （M）, NPK plus pig manure （NPKM） and NPK with straw （NPKS）. Six chambers were installed in each plot. Three of them are in the inter-row soil （NR） and the others are in the soil within the row （R）. Each fertilizer treatment received the same amount of N （300 kg ha-1 yr-1）. Results showed that cumulative soil CO2 fluxes in NR or R were both following the order： NPKS〉M, NPKM〉NPK〉CK. The contributions of root respiration to soil CO2 fluxes was 40, 44, 50, 47 and 35% in CK, NPK, NPKM, M and NPKS treatments, respectively, with the mean value of 43%. Cumulative soil N2O fluxes in NR or R were both following the order： NPKS, NPKM〉M〉NPK〉CK, and soil N2O fluxes in R were 18, 20 and 30% higher than that in NR in NPKM, M and NPKS treatments, respectively, but with no difference between NR and R in NPK treatment. Furthermore, combine with soil temperature at -5 cm depth and soil moisWxe （0-20 cm） together could explain 55-70% and 42-59% of soil CO2 and N2O emissions with root interference and 62- 78% and 44-63% of that without root interference, respectively. In addition, soil CO2 and N2O flUXeS per unit yield in NPKM （0.55 and 0.10 kg C t^-1） and M （0.65 and 0.13 g N t^-1） treatments were lower than those in other treatments. Therefore, manure application could be a preferred fertilization strategy in red soils in South China.     

青藏高原高寒牧区冷季补饲藏系绵羊温室气体排放特征

为了揭示藏系绵羊温室气体排放特征,在青藏高原高寒牧区采用密封式呼吸箱-气相色谱结合的方法,于2013年冷季对3只身体健康、均重(50.13±1.28)kg的藏系绵羊温室气体(CH4、CO2、N2O)日排放特征进行了研究。试验期间,动物日粮的精料为蒸煮饲料,粗粮为青干草饼。结果表明,藏系绵羊的CH4排放日动态具有明显规律性,排放峰值在8:00和17:00(P0.01),排放峰值的出现时间与饲喂时间基本吻合,最小值出现在次日7:00;CO2的日排放曲线相对平稳;N2O的日变化没有明显规律且排放量极低。在冷季补饲模式下,藏系绵羊的CH4、CO2和N2O日排放量分别为(16.17±1.27)、(549.18±20.63)g·head-1和(0.73±0.32)mg·head-1。     

N2O-Freisetzung auf gemähtem Dauergrünland in Abhängigkeit von Standort und N-Düngung

N₂O Emissions from True Meadows Dependent on Location and N Fertilization Agricultural production is thought to be a main anthropogenic emitter of nitrous oxide (N₂O), which contributes to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer. There is still considerable uncertainty about the amount of N₂O emission, and the site‐specific parameters that affect N₂O emission. From October 1995 until March 1998 experiments were conducted at established field plots (true meadows) at three different sites, i.e. low mountain range (Eifel), lowland (Niederrhein), and moist meadows (Münsterland). Plots were fertilized with calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) at nitrogen equivalents ranging from 0 to 360 kg N ha^–1. N₂O fluxes were measured throughout the whole year using the closed‐chamber method. In addition, data on temperature, water‐filled pore space and precipitation were collected. N₂O emission rates (mg N₂O‐N ha^–1 h^–1) were highest either after fertilizer application or in winter during frost, depending on the experimental site and N dosage. The annual amount of N losses due to N₂O emission was dependent on the experimental site and the type and dosage of fertilizer. Disregarding the 360 kg N ha^–1 level of the CAN treatments, the N losses in this experiment were less than 1.5 kg N₂O‐N ha^–1 yr^–1. At low fertilizer dosage there was no reliable correlation between the amount of N that was applied and the amount of N₂O that was emitted. However, with high fertilizer levels the N₂O emissions increased gradually. Finally, N₂O emissions were more influenced by the amount of CAN than by the site.     

Variability of CO2 and N2O emissions during freeze‐thaw cycles: results of model experiments on undisturbed forest‐soil cores

The amounts of N₂O released in periods of alternate freezing and thawing depend on site and freezing conditions, and contribute considerably to the annual N₂O emissions. However, quantitative information on the N₂O emission level of forest soils in freeze‐thaw cycles is scarce, especially with regard to the direct and indirect effect of tree species and the duration of freezing. Our objectives were (i) to quantify the CO₂ and N₂O emissions of three soils under beech which differed in their texture, C and N contents, and humus types in freeze‐thaw cycles, and (ii) to study the effects of the tree species (beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)) for silty soils from two adjacent sites and the duration of freezing (three and eleven days) on the emissions. Soils were adjusted to a matric potential of –0.5 kPa, and emissions were measured in 3‐hr intervals for 33 days. CO₂ emissions of all soils were similar in the two freeze‐thaw cycles, and followed the temperature course. In contrast, the N₂O emissions during thawing differed considerably. Large N₂O emissions were found on the loamy soil under beech (Loam‐beech) with a maximum N₂O emission of 1200 μg N m^–2 h^–1 and a cumulative emission of 0.15 g N m^–2 in the two thawing periods. However, the sandy soil under beech (Sand‐beech) emitted only 1 mg N₂O‐N m^–2 in the two thawing periods probably because of a low water‐filled pore space of 44 %. The N₂O emissions of the silty soil under beech (Silt‐beech) were small (9 mg N m^–2 in the two thawing periods) with a maximum emission of 150 μg N m^–2 h^–1 while insignificant N₂O emissions were found on the silty soil under spruce (0.2 mg N m^–2 in the two thawing periods). The cumulative N₂O emissions of the short freeze‐thaw cycles were 17 % (Sand‐beech) or 22 % (Loam‐beech, Silt‐beech) less than those of the long freeze‐thaw cycles, but the differences between the emissions of the two periods were not significant (P ≤ 0.05). The results of the study show that the amounts of N₂O emitted in freeze‐thaw cycles vary markedly among different forest soils and that the tree species influence the N₂O thawing emissions in forests considerably due to direct and indirect impacts on soil physical and chemical properties, soil structure, and properties of the humus layer.     

东北黑土区不同作物系统氮肥反硝化损失与N_2O排放量

在田间条件下,应用原状土柱培养-乙炔抑制法测定不同作物系统中氮肥反硝化损失和N20排放量.结果表明,在东北黑土旱作系统中土壤氮素反硝化损失量很低不施肥条件下,小麦、玉米和大豆地反硝化损失量分别为0.42,0.48和0.79 kgN·hm-2;施肥条件下为0.84,0.83和0.64 kgN·hm-2,作物间均无显著差异;氮素损失率仅占施肥量的0.61%、0.26%和-0.58%.小麦、玉米和大豆地N2O排放量在不施肥条件下作物间无显著差异,为0.74,0.41和0.48kgN·hm-2;施肥条件下差异极显著,排放量为0.72,1.37和0.44 kgN·hm-2;排放量分别占施氮量的-0.02%,0.69%和-0.14%.在玉米作物上施量较大,极显著地增加N2O排放量;在大豆作物上施肥量较低,表现出极显著地降低N2)排放量;小麦作物上施肥量也低,处理间N2O排放量差异不显著.     

华北平原几种主要类型土壤的硝化及反硝化活性

取用华北平原5种主要土壤进行实验室培养试验,研究不同类型土壤间硝化反硝化活性的差异。结果表明,培养28h后砂姜黑土、潮土、褐土、盐渍土和风沙土的硝化率分别为7.9%、20.8%、46.4%、22.5%和20.3%;148h后砂姜黑土的硝化率为18.7%,其它4种土壤达98.4%—100%,基本硝化完全;培养268h释放的N2O总量分别为0.04、0.27、0.24、0.41和0.45μgN·g-1土。培养650h的反硝化损失量分别为0.6、0.3、0.08、0.02和0.05μgN·g-1土。可见,不同的土壤中砂姜黑土的硝化作用活性较弱,而反硝化活性较强;潮土、褐土、盐渍土和风沙土的硝化作用活性较强,而反硝化活性相对较弱。土壤的硝化及反硝化作用与土壤质地和pH有关,与硝化和反硝化菌数量无明显相关性。     

精氨酸的抗热应激作用及在母猪上的应用

精氨酸是一种条件性必需氨基酸,在生理调节方面具有重要的功能。在正常情况下,成年动物对精氨酸的需求可以通过内源性合成满足,但在应激条件下,内源合成的精氨酸不足以满足机体的需求。精氨酸代谢可合成一氧化氮(NO),NO在体内发挥着重要的生理作用。文中综述了高温热应激对母猪的影响、精氨酸在体内的代谢过程及在抗氧化应激方面的作用,以促进高温热应激条件下精氨酸在母猪中的应用及研究。