Farmland and climate change: factors and lessons from farmed landscapes ELO Biodiversity Conference Brussels 9 December 2015
Europe s environmental challenges Marginal agricultural areas Challenges: maintain on-field biodiversity, stimulate favourable practices, increase profitability without intensifying Prime agriculture areas Challenges: reduce pressures on air, soil and natural habitats Main irrigated areas Challenge: reduce water stress
Tarnava Mare, a lowland area of high biodiversity, 85.000ha farmed by 5.000 families in small-scale farming communities
Multifunctionality Biodiversity Clean air, clean water Food quality Food security Resistance to flooding Resilience to effects of climate change Low energy agriculture Short supply chains Pollination C-sequestration Agro-biodiversity
A romantic view of these ideal landscapes is not enough. We need a science-based and market-based approach
The problem In EU-27: the agricultural sector was reported to account for 9.6% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2008 The vast majority of these emissions were reported to arise from: Carbon loss from soils. Many global soils have lost 50% of original C. Cause: loss of soil organic carbon on arable land, and intensified grazing on pastures. Soils: N 2 O emissions from fertilisers: 49% of agricultural GHG emissions Enteric fermentation: Methane emissions: 10% of agricultural GHG emissions (Eurostat, 2010)
The potential Soils hold nine times the amount of carbon that is stored in all vegetation (including forestry). UK National Ecosystem Assessment How to repair soil C? Keep it covered Increase (bio)diversity Composting Good grazing practices High C soils offer benefits water retention, productivity Paris French government proposes increase soil C by 0.4% / year If achieved, would store 75% of global C emissions
Some progress The contributions of the habitats of farmland to regulating services have often been negative, but are improving. Levels of carbon in Arable soils fell between 1998 and 2007, while stocks under Improved Grassland remained steady. So C (in form of CO 2 ) continues to be lost inputs used more carefully non-co 2 greenhouse gas (N 2 O, methane) emissions from UK agriculture have fallen by 19% since 1990. However, numbers of honey bee colonies in England have declined by 54% since 1985. UK National Ecosystem Assessment
Farming systems and CO 2 Agriculture as a Carbon emitter Ploughing releases large amounts of CO 2 Additional C footprint from fuel, artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Agriculture as a carbon sink Agriculture sequesters CO 2 in soils and in plants. Grasslands especially important: store 34% of the global stock of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems, whilst forests store 39%. Yearly C fluxes per hectare in EU-15 Sources: FAO (2007), Garnett (2007) and Grayson (2008) A. Freibauer et al. / Geoderma 122 (2004) 1 23 (EU policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emission: Towards a European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), COM (2000) 88, Working Group Sinks, Subgroup Soils
Grasslands and Carbon sequestration Underground stock Grasslands Forests Arable 30 t/ha (ploughed) 140 t/ha 140 t/ha 40 t/ha (low tillage) Annual trend +1 t/h/year +6 t/h/year -1 t/ha soil carbon is the 'premium sink : most woodland is felled releasing large amounts of CO 2 Unlike England, which is a net source of carbon dioxide, Wales is considered to be a net sink, because of land management, with large amounts of carbon locked up in its soils UK National Ecosystem Assessment
Semi-natural Grasslands Multiple services requiring low energy inputs. Compared to Temporary Grassland and Arable, Semi-natural Grasslands: store greater densities of carbon produce less nitrous oxide produce less methane due to their lower stocking densities Better water regulation (and flood prevention) less pollution because of the low fertiliser input provide better nutrient cycling But of course, lower overall animal production. UK National Ecosystem Assessment
Pasture-based dairying: comparing 2 million litres / year farms Conventional/intensive 230 cows (8500l./year/cow) 700 tonnes of purchased cake/year Profit after rent 1 pence/litre = zero Pasture-based 400 cows (5000l./year/cow) 200 tonnes of purchased cake per year Profit after rent 0.13/litre = 260,000 Reasons Cattle out 10 months of the year: healthy Longevity 6 lactations as opposed to 3.5 Feed costs reduced to 20% Reduced feed costs, fuel costs, vet costs
The Methane question! 33% of Methane emissions are estimated to come from cattle and sheep Should intensive production methods where cattle are fed largely on cereals, producing less methane be preferred over more traditional grass-fed livestock farming Research at 10 UK National Trust farms shows that while the GHG emissions of grass-fed and conventional farms are comparable, the carbon sequestration contribution of less intensive grassland systems reduced net emissions by up to 94%, even resulting in a carbon 'net gain' in upland areas. In addition, these systems are much less reliant on artificial inputs, have lower impact on water and soil quality and biodiversity.
Some science-based conclusions Agricultural soils in EU could sequester high percentage of European anthropogenic emissions Identified as most promising measures Conversion of arable to grassland is most effective C mitigation option Arable management: promotion of increased C from organic adjustments, organic farming, conservation tillage. Increased level of organic material carbon in soil has other benefits e.g. increased water holding capacity, improved soil structure / nutrient supply. Peat soils: maintain water table (no turbines on moorlands!) A. Freibauer et al. / Geoderma 122 (2004): Carbon sequestration in the agricultural soils of Europe (EU policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emission: Towards a European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), COM (2000) 88, Working Group Sinks, Subgroup Soils
Some final ideas Landscape complexity and permanent grassland are significant for mitigation and adaptation. How to maintain them? We need market mechanisms. Support small-scale / family farms ownership? Can be a partial answer Incentives for small and large landowners: both CAP payments and markets (3 aspects of greening of Pillar 1) Many mitigation/adaptation measures make economic sense too. Lower inputs = higher profits. Diversified cropping spreads the risk portfolio effect Landscape complexity and Permanent grassland Nature branding market advantage Market models exist pasture-based dairy farming and National Trust beef studies in UK
Thank you for your attention Fundatia ADEPT Transilvania www.fundatia-adept.org