Location: Sustainable Water Management Research
Project Number: 6066-13000-006-033-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2024
End Date: Aug 31, 2028
Objective:
1. Appropriate sites will be selected and prepared for baseline methane emissions data collection.
2. Collect baseline methane and other greenhouse gas emissions data.
3. Implement and assess emissions mitigation approaches.
4. Study the role of soil microbes in the seasonal dynamics of greenhouse gas fluxes.
5. Compilation, analysis, and reporting of all data collected as a user-friendly dashboard.
Approach:
This project will have five objectives to monitor greenhouse gas emission changes in rice production due to water management strategies and changing climate and examining approaches to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
To accomplish the objectives of this project the Cooperator and ARS will work together through a series of subtasks for each objectives. In the first subtask (1.1) ARS will work with the Cooperator to identify paired agricultural fields. The paired fields will allow for differences in water management to be studied for impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The next step (1.2) will have the Cooperator install, maintain, and collect data from eddy flux towers on each field. The Cooperator will ensure personnel are trained on the maintenance and data collection from the flux towers (1.3). Once flux towers are installed Objective 2 can begin with the development of a sampling schedule with consideration for various agronomic and weather factors (task 2.1). The collection of relevant data from the flux towers (2.2) and weather, soil, and crop data (2.3) will be carried out on the agreed schedule. Gas samples will be collected and analyzed as subtask 2.4.
After data collection begins, Objective 3 can begin through the assessment of greenhouse gas mitigation approaches by analyzing differences in data collected from the paired fields (3.1). Subtask 3.2 is to assess gas emission differences with other relevant parameters such as crop yield, water use efficiency, and water management practices.
As the project progress the role of soil microbes in the greenhouse gas emissions will be studied (Objective 4). Subtask 4.1 will identify the roles and responses of soil microbial communities, specifically methanogens and methanotrophs, in driving methane flux. Subtask 4.2 will attempt to quantify the role of water management on below ground vs above ground components within the field and the contribution to methane fluxes.
Objective 5 will see all data compiled, processed, and subjected to a quality assurance process (task 5.1) and then made available through a dashboard (task 5.2). All data will be transmitted to all partners on an agreed upon schedule.
