Publications

Most inverse atmospheric models report considerable uptake of carbon dioxide in Europe's terrestrial biosphere. In contrast, carbon stocks in terrestrial ecosystems increase at a much smaller rate, with carbon gains in forests and grassland soils almost being offset by carbon losses from cropland and peat soils. Accounting for non–carbon dioxide carbon transfers that are not detected by the atmospheric models and for carbon dioxide fluxes bypassing the ecosystem carbon stocks considerably reduces the gap between the small carbon-stock changes and the larger carbon dioxide uptake estimated by atmospheric models. The remaining difference could be because of missing components in the stock-change approach, as well as the large uncertainty in both methods. With the use of the corrected atmosphere- and land-based estimates as a dual constraint, we estimate a net carbon sink between 135 and 205 teragrams per year in Europe's terrestrial biosphere, the equivalent of 7 to 12% of the 1995 anthropogenic carbon emissions.

Food systems contribute to up to 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and emissions are increasing. Since the emissions vary greatly between different foods, citizens’ choices can make a big difference to climate change. Public engagement events are opportunities to communicate these complex issues: to raise awareness about the impact of citizens’ own food choices on climate change and to generate support for changes in all food system activities, the food environment and food policy. This article summarises findings from our ‘Take a Bite Out of Climate Change’ stand at two UK outreach activities during July 2019. We collected engagement information in three main ways: (1) individuals were invited to complete a qualitative evaluation questionnaire comprising of four questions that gauged the person’s interests, perceptions of food choices and attitudes towards climate change; (2) an online multiple-choice questionnaire asking about eating habits and awareness/concerns; and (3) a token drop voting activity where visitors answered the question: ‘Do you consider greenhouse gases when choosing food?’ Our results indicate whether or not people learnt about the environmental impacts of food (effectiveness), how likely they are to move towards a more climate-friendly diet (behavioural change), and how to gather information more effectively at this type of event.

This project aimed to identify the extent to which emissions due to changes in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks arising from Cropland and Grassland/Grazing Land management can be incorporated into the UK’s Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) inventory. 
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\nKey management activities were identified which might affect SOC stocks. 
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\nA literature review carried out as part of the project concluded that tillage reduction cannot be considered a reliable management option to increase the SOC content of UK soils. However increasing crop residue returns and increasing inputs of manure and fertiliser could increase SOC stock although the SOC stock increases resulting from manure and fertiliser inputs could be outweighed by increases nitrous oxide emissions and the risk of nitrate run-off.
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\nThe review found that increasing crop yields through increased fertilisation and improved crop rotation could increase the annual input of crop residues and root exudate to soils and hence increase SOC on low fertility soils. Manure additions resulted in greater C sequestration than the addition of equivalent amounts of N as mineral fertiliser and the effect lasted longer. However, increasing inputs of nitrogen from fertiliser or manure risk increasing N2O emissions which could negate any increases in SOC stock. 
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\nIPCC default stock change factors were judged to be inappropriate to the UK, based on expert opinion and the literature review findings. Therefore the project used the Daily DayCent and Landscape DNDC models to attempt to estimate stock change factors for Cropland management activities under UK conditions. Although based on a very limited dataset this suggested that the effect of Cropland management activities under UK conditions might be less than implied by the IPCC stock change factors. Tillage reduction was found to have little effect on SOC stocks. Increasing manure and crop residue inputs increased SOC stocks, with manure inputs being particularly effective. 
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\nA framework for reporting SOC stock changes resulting from Cropland management was developed, and used to assess mitigation options. Overall the impact of Cropland Management on SOC is likely to be very small compared to other activities in the LULUCF inventory such as land use change. The most effective mitigation option was using Cropland from annual tillage crops to perennial crops, fallow and set aside. However given the need for food production there is limited scope for such change. Increasing manure, fertiliser and crop residue inputs gave smaller increases in SOC stocks, but practical considerations limit the scope of these actions.
\nLack of field data on the effect of Grassland improvement on SOC stocks was identified as a knowledge gap. The literature review suggested that intensification could increase SOC stocks under pasture on mineral soils. However, expert opinion suggested that this might not be the case for rough grazing on organo-mineral soils, where intensification might lead to SOC loss. This lack of data meant that it was not possible to calibrate or validate models to estimate UK specific stock change factors for Grassland. As the IPCC stock change factors were judged to be inappropriate to UK conditions assessment of the mitigation potential of Grassland management using these factors was not carried out to avoid presenting potentially misleading results. Suggested strategies for filling these knowledge gaps are outlined in the report.
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\nAttempts to assess grass/crop rotation patterns across the UK using data from the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) used to handle Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments were hampered by difficulties in obtaining access to the data. However land use change matrices were generated for England and Wales, and used to map areas of change. Subject to data availability, this approach could be used in future inventories to give a better representation the effect of rotation patterns on SOC stocks.
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4th International Symposium on Soil Organic Matter Dynamics6?10 May 2013, Nanjing, ChinaThis conference, attended by 220 international scientists, covered a wide range of studies from nanoparticle characterization of soil organic matter (SOM) molecules to ecosystem functions governed by the structure and activity of SOM, and from plot monitoring of soil?air fluxes to simulation and modeling of continental/global dynamics in the context of carbon stocks and emissions. New SOM dynamics studies were directed to understanding processes and mechanisms of, and developing new options and approaches for, enhancing soil carbon sequestration and the multiple co-benefits in soils under different human activities at various scales from field plots to continent. As a global trend, new tools and techniques are increasingly being employed for exploring SOM dynamics, including molecular characterizing, biomarkers and isotopic labeling, as well as in situ observation of complex interactions.

Research priorities for the alignment of International Research on SOC sequestration in agriculture.

Programme européen nøEVK2-CT2002-20016 *INRA CR Orléans - Documentation centre - 46166 Olivet Diffusion du document : INRA CR Orléans - Documentation centre - 46166 Olivet

In an increasingly urbanised world, the importance of urban and peri-urban forestry is gaining recognition in the context of global sustainability initiatives. The UN FAO held the first African Forum on Urban Forestry in July 2021, aiming to promote greener, healthier, and happier cities and towns in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This forum aligns with various international, regional, and national science-policy initiatives, such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Great Green Wall, and the Tree Cities of the World program, which seek to scale up urban forestry and ensure its sustainable management (Berglihn & Gómez-Baggethun, 2021). Despite the increasing attention given to urban forestry in SSA, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on its state in the region. Therefore, in the run up to the Global Forum on Urban Forestry to be held in October 2023, this report seeks to appraise the extent and dynamics of urban forestry in SSA. It begins by providing an overview of the trends in the region, highlighting specific ecosystem services that are particularly significant, prominent, or distinct in SSA. The report then explores innovative practices in urban forestry within SSA. Finally, it discusses future opportunities for resourcing and research in the field.