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“BalSim”: A Carbon, Nitrogen and Greenhouse Gas Mass Balance Model for Pastures

Author

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  • Ricardo F.M. Teixeira

    (MARETEC – Marine, Environment and Technology Centre, LARSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Lúcia Barão

    (Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
    ICAAM, University of Évora, Núcleo da Mitra apartado 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Tiago G. Morais

    (MARETEC – Marine, Environment and Technology Centre, LARSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Tiago Domingos

    (MARETEC – Marine, Environment and Technology Centre, LARSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Animal production systems are increasingly required to co-produce meat products and other ecosystem services. Sown biodiverse pastures (SBP) were developed in Portugal as an improvement over semi-natural pastures (SNP). SBP increase yields and animal intake during grazing, are substantial carbon sinks, and the abundance of legumes in the mixtures provides plants with a biological source of nitrogen. However, the data available and the data demands of most models make integrated modelling of these effects difficult. Here, we developed “BalSim”, a mass balance approach for the estimation of carbon and nitrogen flows and the direct greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of the two production systems. Results show that, on average, the on-farm GHG balance is −2.6 and 0.8 t CO 2 e/ha.yr for SBP and SNP, respectively. Ignoring the effects of carbon sequestration, and taking into account only non-CO 2 emissions, the systems are responsible for 17.0 and 16.3 kg CO 2 e/kg live weight.yr. The annual analysis showed that non-CO 2 emissions were highest in a drought year due to decreased yield and stocking rate. We also showed through scenario analysis that matching the grazing level to the yield is crucial to minimize emissions and ensure reduced feed supplementation while maintaining high soil carbon stocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo F.M. Teixeira & Lúcia Barão & Tiago G. Morais & Tiago Domingos, 2018. "“BalSim”: A Carbon, Nitrogen and Greenhouse Gas Mass Balance Model for Pastures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2018:i:1:p:53-:d:192413
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tiago G. Morais & Ricardo F. M. Teixeira & Nuno R. Rodrigues & Tiago Domingos, 2018. "Characterizing Livestock Production in Portuguese Sown Rainfed Grasslands: Applying the Inverse Approach to a Process-Based Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Ricardo F. M. Teixeira & Tiago G. Morais & Tiago Domingos, 2018. "A Practical Comparison of Regionalized Land Use and Biodiversity Life Cycle Impact Assessment Models Using Livestock Production as a Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Thomas Kastner & Karl-Heinz Erb & Helmut Haberl, 2015. "Global Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production for Biomass Consumption in the European Union, 1986–2007," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(5), pages 825-836, October.
    4. Tiago G. Morais & Ricardo F. M. Teixeira & Tiago Domingos, 2018. "The Effects on Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Ecological Intensification of Meat Production with Rainfed Sown Biodiverse Pastures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-23, November.
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    1. Tiago G. Morais & Ricardo F. M. Teixeira & Nuno R. Rodrigues & Tiago Domingos, 2018. "Characterizing Livestock Production in Portuguese Sown Rainfed Grasslands: Applying the Inverse Approach to a Process-Based Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, November.

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