investing in the carbon sink potential of agriculture and wetland sustainability agriculture and...
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Investing in the Carbon Sink Potential of Agriculture and
Wetland Sustainability
Agriculture and Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative of Ducks Unlimited
CanadaAgriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
To further the understanding of wetland science in support of policy related to Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) within the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).
Mission:
To promote the functions and values of wetlands in sustaining the quality and quantity of water resources and biodiversity in Canada.To promote the consideration of wetland conservation as a future component of agricultural soil carbon sinks policy.
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Climate Change Impacts on Wetlands?
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Small wetlands dry up and disappear
Permanent wetlands become seasonal
Agricultural activity migrates north and impacts areas of forestry and higher wetland density
Security of source water quantity and quality is threatened
Ecosystem biodiversity is decreased
Wetlands are managed by default if not by designWetlands are managed by default if not by design
ErosionErosion
HayingHaying
BurningBurning
TillageTillage
Gone ForeverGone Forever
Value of Research to Ag and Forestry?
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Evaluation of beneficial management practices (BMPs) that enhance and protect wetland ecosystem function Source water protection Biodiversity preservation and enhancement Carbon storageIntegration of wetland management with agricultural and forestry management for a holistic landscape/watershed approach
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Research Approach:
A program of inter-related projects
Sites across the Prairie Pothole Region
Establish wetland-riparian-upland transectsManipulate agricultural land management practices in the upland
Address questions with a localized focus
Coordination with other GHG studies
Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaCanadian Wildlife Service (EC)
Ducks Unlimited CanadaNational Water Research Institute (EC)
University of AlbertaUniversity of Manitoba
University of SaskatchewanAlberta Agriculture Food and Rural
Development
Research Collaborators:
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Funding:
Annual funding target
$750,000
Total Annual Budget
$1,340,000
Universities, NSERC Grants
Industry Partners (Alberta-Pacific Forestry)BIOCAP Funding?
$120,000 Policy program and Administration$150,000 Research program$50,000 BIOCAP matched funds?
DUC Prairie Region
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Government Funding
Rationale for Prairie/Parkland:
Focus is on wetlands and riparian areas within the context of agricultural land-use - an integrated landscape approach
Net balance between carbon storage and greenhouse gas flux in Prairie wetlands is unknown - knowledge gap
Prairie wetlands are biologically different systems than peat lands and agricultural lands, the two “proxies” currently being used to estimate wetland net carbon balance
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Research Objectives:
Quantify carbon storage along wetland-riparian-upland transects across the PPR (including Boreal transition/Parkland zone)Quantify greenhouse gas flux (CO2, CH4, and N2O) along same transectsIdentify and measure key ecological drivers that control changes in C and GHG flux in wetland and riparian areas
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Assess spatial and temporal variability of GHG fluxes in heterogeneous wetland zones and riparian areas
Research Objectives:
Develop a carbon model specific to prairie wetlands and riparian areas
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Identify impacts of agricultural upland management on C storage and GHG flux in wetlands/riparian areasIdentify impact of tillage through wetland basins on GHG emission and C storage during drought yearsAssess the effect of wetland restoration (over time 0-15 yrs, and over climatic gradient of PPR) on C storage and GHG emission
Link to national scaling-up studies underway in the agricultural sector
St. Denis National Wildlife Area and vicinity (July 1983)
Landscape
Landscape Element
STMid
TRGE
CFST
MidGE
CFTP
CFSDFS
CBSDBS
CSHDSH
So
il O
rga
nic
Ca
rbo
n (M
g h
a-1,
0 t
o 6
0 cm
)
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Field Pond 117 Pond 120
Upland soils
Wetland soils
Transition soils
Agriculture & Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Ducks Unlimited Canada
Work Plan: 2001-2008Assembly of working groupGIS wetland database update
Develop relations with scientific and policy communities to raise awareness
Implement research and demonstration projects
Share research results with national and international scientific and policy communities
Identify research funding opportunities
Develop support systems to assist landowners with management of their wetlands
Agriculture and Wetlands Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Ducks Unlimited Canada