An action to reduce the management intensity of at least 40,000ha of peat-based agricultural soils has been included in ‘Ag Climatise’, the national climate and air roadmap for the agriculture sector.
The roadmap, which was launched earlier today (Wednesday, December 9), outlined that drained lands will be targeted for carbon loss reduction.
The document says: “Currently, based on tier 1 emission factors, Irish grasslands are a net source of CO2 due to emissions from permanent grassland on drained carbon rich soils.
There is an estimated 300,000ha of permanent grassland on drained carbon rich soils where the carbon pool is very vulnerable, especially when drained.
“Soils with high organic matter, when drained, allow additional air into the soil to break down the organic matter releasing CO2 into the atmosphere,” it was added.
The roadmap says that by “water table manipulation and reduced management intensity” has the potential to reduce emissions and improve water quality, biodiversity and climate change adaptation.
However, the level of farming intensity that can be sustained post water table manipulation is farm- and site-specific.
“Capturing impacts from changes in management and developing associated emission factors will be challenging and will require the establishment of long-term monitoring sites,” Ag Climatise says.
In a specified action, the roadmap is to “reduce the management intensity of at least 40,000ha of peat based agricultural soils to reduce CO2 loss”.
The document also has a target to implement a pilot scheme on reduced management intensity to serve as “proof of concept” for scaling up to a larger agri-environmental scheme.