Location: Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems
Project Number: 0202-11000-001-080-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Nov 1, 2023
End Date: Aug 31, 2028
Objective:
IRA GHG Quantification Action Area #2 – GHG Research Network
The information below is a current summary of a larger evolving workplan. Initial allocations were provided through an internal apportionment, and other portions of the work will be supported through future IAAs.
Action Area Objectives:
1. Develop a research and monitoring network to collect and synthesize multi-scale data on N2O and CH4 from cropping and livestock production systems that represent major agricultural sources of these two gases in order to improve model estimates, with a focus on for verifying estimates, filling calibration needs, and advancing identified opportunities for model equations.
2. Coordinate with other USDA agencies, including AA#1 to coordinate GHG data collection with soil carbon and perennial biomass data collection efforts; AA#3 for data management; AA#6 for coordinating with conservation activity data collection and synthesis; and AA#4 and AA#7 which will use the data collect to strengthen predictive models and support estimates of conservation outcomes and advance the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks.
This interagency agreement is specifically to provide equipment to the Greenhouse monitoring network related to 1) enteric methane from beef and dairy cattle; 2) emissions from animal housing and manure storage and processing facilities, and 3) emissions from cropland and grasslands.
Approach:
The major use for the GHG emission monitoring data is to improve predictive models for assessing GHG emission reduction outcomes at entity, state, regional, and national scales (AA#4) and advancing the Advance Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Assessment Program of USDA (AA#7). A secondary major use is to collect targeted data to improve NRCS conservation practice standards and implementation requirements to reflect GHG mitigation opportunities (AA#5).
Given these data use goals, the monitoring network will focus on measuring GHG emissions at the entity or practice scale from major agricultural sources as identified by the national inventory. Therefore, we have organized our team to focus on 3 major sources areas: 1) enteric methane from beef and dairy cattle; 2) emissions from animal housing and manure storage and processing facilities, and 3) emissions from cropland and grasslands. In addition, a fourth sub-group will monitor GHGs through several tall towers that represent regional footprints and would allow a check or comparison for verifying and improving estimates that are aggregated from finer spatial scales.
Funding to ARS through this IAA is focused on initial equipment purchases. The funding levels were requested by the Action Area lead with approval from ARS leadership. The funding was approved by a representative from the NRCS Office of the Chief, the FPAC USEC office, and OEEP with awareness by the Chief and the FPAC USEC.
