public review draft entity-scale quantification of ... review draft contract no. gs-23f-8182h august...

Public Review Draft

Contract No.

GS-23F-8182H

August 2013

Science-Based Methods for Entity-Scale Quantification of Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks from Agriculture and Forestry Practices

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ScienceBasedMethodsforEntityScaleQuantificationofGreenhouseGasSourcesandSinksfromAgricultureandForestryPractices

WorkdoneunderUSDAContract#GS23F8182Hinsupportoftheproject:TechnicalGuidelinesandScientificMethodsforEntityScaleGreenhouseGasEstimation.

TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)prohibitsdiscriminationinallitsprogramsandactivitiesonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,age,disability,and,whereapplicable,sex,maritalstatus,familialstatus,parentalstatus,religion,sexualorientation,geneticinformation,politicalbeliefs,reprisal,orbecauseallorapartofanindividualsincomeisderivedfromanypublicassistanceprogram.(Notallprohibitedbasesapplytoallprograms.)Personswithdisabilitieswhorequirealternativemeansforcommunicationofprograminformation(Braille,largeprint,audiotape,etc.)shouldcontactUSDAsTARGETCenterat(202)7202600(voiceandTDD).TofileacomplaintofdiscriminationwritetoUSDA,Director,OfficeofCivilRights,1400IndependenceAve,S.W.,Washington,D.C.202509410orcall(800)7953272(voice)or(202)7206382(TDD).USDAisanequalopportunityproviderandemployer.ThisdraftreportwasprovidedtoUSDAundercontractbyICFInternationalandispresentedintheforminwhichitwasreceivedfromthecontractor.AnyviewspresentedarethoseoftheauthorsandarenotnecessarilytheviewsoforendorsedbyUSDA.FormoreinformationontheScienceBasedMethodsforEntityScaleQuantificationofGreenhouseGasSourcesandSinksfromAgricultureandForestryPracticesproject,visithttp://usda.gov/oce/climate_change/estimation.htm,orcontacttheUSDAClimateChangeProgramOfficebyemailattechguide@oce.usda.gov,fax2024011176,orphone2024010979.

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HowtoObtainCopies:YoumayelectronicallydownloadthisdocumentfromtheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureswebsiteat:[Thislinkwillbeincludedinthefinalreport]

SuggestedCitationReportCitation[Thiswillbeincludedinthefinalreport]

ChapterCitations[Thiswillbeincludedinthefinalreport]

Acknowledgements:TheDepartmentofAgriculturewouldliketoacknowledgethesecontributorstothisreport:SarahBiggar,ICFInternationalMarkFlugge,ICFInternationalDerinaMan,ICFInternationalDianaPape,ICFInternationalKeithPaustian,ColoradoStateUniversityMarybethRileyGilbert,ICFInternationalRachelSteele,ICFInternationalWorkingGroups:Croplands/GrazingLands:

StephenOgle,ColoradoStateUniversity(LeadAuthor)PaulAdler,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceJayBreidt,ColoradoStateUniversityStephenDelGrosso,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceAlanFranzleubbers,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceRobertGleason,U.S.GeologicalSurveyMarkLiebig,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceBruceLinquist,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisPhilRobertson,MichiganStateUniversityMicheleSchoeneberger,USDAForestServiceJohanSix,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisChrisvanKessel,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisRodVenterea,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceTristramWest,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory

Wetlands:StephenOgle,ColoradoStateUniversity(LeadAuthor)RobertGleason,U.S.GeologicalSurvey

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PatrickHunt,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceCarlTrettin,USDAForestService

AnimalAgriculture:WendyPowers,MichiganStateUniversity(LeadAuthor)BrentAuvermann,TexasA&MUniversityAndyCole,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceCurtGooch,CornellUniversityRichGrant,PurdueUniversityJerryHatfield,USDAAgriculturalResearchServicePatrickHunt,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceKristenJohnson,WashingtonStateUniversityAprilLeytem,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceWeiLiao,MichiganStateUniversityMarkPowell,USDAAgriculturalResearchService

Forestry:CoeliHoover,USDAForestService(LeadAuthor)RichardBirdsey,USDAForestService(CoLeadAuthor)BruceGoines,USDAForestServicePeterLahm,USDAForestServiceGreggMarland,AppalachianStateUniversityDaveNowak,USDAForestServiceStephenPrisley,VirginiaPolytechnicInstituteandStateUniversityElizabethReinhardt,USDAForestServiceKenSkog,USDAForestServiceDavidSkole,MichiganStateUniversityJamesSmith,USDAForestServiceCarlTrettin,USDAForestServiceChrisWoodall,USDAForestService

AdditionalContributorsBooneKauffman,USDAForestServiceAndreWright,UniversityofVermontTomWirth,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

AgroupofexpertswereconvenedinFebruary2012toreviewthesoilN2Omethodsinthecroplands/grazinglandssectionoftheReport.SoilN2OWorkshopOrganizationCommittee:

StephenOgle,ColoradoStateUniversitySteveDelGrosso,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceJohanSix,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisPhilRobertson,MichiganStateUniversityRodVenterea,USDAAgriculturalResearchService

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SoilN2OWorkshopParticipants:MartinBurger,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisRayDesjardin,AgricultureandAgriFoodCanadaRonGehl,NorthCarolinaStateUniversityPeterGrace,QueenslandUniversityofTechnologyPeterGroffman,CaryInstituteofEcosystemStudiesArdellHalvorson,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceWillHorwath,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisCesarIzaurralde,JointGlobalChangeResearchInstituteChangshengLi,UniversityofNewHampshireNevilleMillar,MichiganStateUniversityWilliamParton,ColoradoStateUniversityKeithPaustian,ColoradoStateUniversityPhilippeRochette,AgricultureandAgriFoodCanadaWilliamSalas,AppliedGeosolutionsCliffSnyder,InternationalPlantNutritionInstitute

ExpertReviewersUSDAwouldliketoacknowledgethefollowingexpertreviewers,whoreviewedallorpartsofthedocumentduringtheMarch2013ExpertReview:

BobAbt,NorthCarolinaStateUniversityLeonHartwellAllen,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceBenBondLamberty,JointGlobalChangeResearchInstituteSandraBrown,WinrockInternationalDavidClay,SouthDakotaStateUniversityJasonClay,WorldWildlifeFundSteveDeGryze,TerraGlobalCapitalPeteEpanchin,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyErinFitzgerald,InnovationCenterforU.S.DairyRonGehl,NorthCarolinaStateUniversityAmrithGunasekara,CaliforniaDepartmentofAgricultureNoelGurwick,UnionofConcernedScientistsLindaHeath,USDAForestServiceWillieHorwath,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisCesarIzaurralde,JointGlobalChangeResearchInstituteJenJenkins,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyKurtJohnsen,USDAForestServiceErmiasKebreab,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisWilliamLazarus,UniversityofMinnesotaDeanneMeyer,UniversityofCalifornia,DavisTimParkin,USDAAgriculturalResearchService

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CharlesRice,KansasStateUniversityNeilSampson,TheSampsonGroupKaramatSistani,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceCliffSnyder,InternationalPlantNutritionInstituteBrentSohngen,OhioStateUniversityRichardTodd,USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceMicheleWander,UniversityofIllinoisTomWirth,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

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AcronymsandChemicalFormulaeAA AminoAcidsAD AnaerobicDigestionADF AcidDetergentFiberAGP AntibioticGrowthPromoterBCH4 BaselineMethaneBEF BiomassExpansionFactorbLS BackwardLagrangianstochasticBNR BiologicalNitrogenRemovalBUN BloodUreaNitrogenBW BodyweightC CarbonCaCO3 CalciticLimestoneCAFO ConcentratedAnimalFeedingOperationCaMG(CO3)2 DolomiticLimestoneCAST CouncilforAgriculturalScienceandTechnologyCCPO ClimateChangeProgramOfficeCEA CouncilofEconomicAdvisersCEQ CouncilonEnvironmentalQualityCH4 MethaneCl ChlorineCNCPS CornellNetCarbohydrateandProteinSystemCO CarbonMonoxideCO(NH2)2 UreaCO2 CarbonDioxideCO2e CarbonDioxideEquivalentsCOD ChemicalOxygenDemandCOLE CarbonOnLineEstimatorCOMET CarbonManagementOnlinEToolforagricultureandagroforestryCP CrudeProteinCRM ComponentRatioMethodCRP ConservationReserveProgramCSTR ContinuousStirredTankReactorCSUNREL ColoradoStateUniversity NationalRenewableEnergyLaboratoryDairyGEMModel DairyGasEmissionsModelDBH DiameteratBreastHeightDDGS DistillersDriedGrainswithSolublesDDW DowndeadwoodDE DigestibleEnergyDGS DistillersGrainsDM DryMatterDMI DryMatterIntakeDNDCModel DeNitrificationandDeCompositionmodelDOE DepartmentofEnergyDOI DepartmentofInteriorDOM DeadOrganicMatterDRC DryrolledCornE EmissionsEF EmissionFactor

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EI EmissionsIntensityEPA EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyEPICModel ErosionProductivityImpactCalculatorET EvapotranspirationFe2+ IronOxideFFE FireandFuelsExtensionFIA ForestInventoryandAnalysisFIADB ForestInventoryandAnalysisDatabaseFIDO ForestInventory DataOnlineFOFEM FirstOrderFireEffectsModelFVS ForestVegetationSimulatormodelFVSFFE ForestVegetationSimulatormodelwithFireandFuelsmoduleFYM FarmyardManureGE/GEI GrossEnergy/GrossEnergyIntakeGHG GreenhouseGasGPS GlobalPositioningSystemGRACEnet GreenhouseGasReductionthroughAgriculturalCarbon

EnhancementNetworkGWP GlobalWarmingPotentialH2CO3 CarbonicAcidH2S HydrogenSulfideHCO3 BicarbonateHMC HighmoistureCornHNO3 NitricAcidHW HardwoodHWP HarvestedWoodProductsIFSM IntegratedFarmSystemModelIPCC IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeK PotassiumLCA LifeCycleAssessmentLU LivestockUnitLUC LandUseChangeLULUCF Landuse,landusechange,andforestryMCF MethaneConversionFactorME MetabolizableenergyMEI MEIntakeMg MagnesiumMLRA MajorLandResourceAreasMOLLY AdynamicmechanisticmodelofnutrientutilizationincattleMRTN MaximumReturntoNitrogenMT MetricTonMUN MilkUreaNitrogenN NitrogenN2 MolecularNitrogenN2O NitrousOxideNADP NationalAtmosphericDepositionProgramNDF NeutralDetergentFiberNFC NonFiberCarbohydrateNGO NonGovernmentalOrganizationNH3 Ammonia

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NH4+ AmmoniumNIR NationalInventoryReportNLCD NationalLandCoverDatasetNMVOC NonMethaneVolatileOrganicCompoundsNO NitricOxideNO2 NitrogenDioxideNO3 NitrateNOx MononitrogenOxidesNPP NetPrimaryProductionNRCS NaturalResourceConservationServiceNRCSSSURGO SoilSurveyGeographicDatabaseNRI NationalResourcesInventoryNUE NitrogenUseEfficiencyNWI NationalWetlandsInventoryO OrganicO2 OxygenOM OrganicMatterOMB OfficeofManagementandBudgetP PhosphorousPDF ProbabilityDensityFunctionPg PetaGramsPRISM ParameterElevationRegressionsonIndependentSlopesModelPRP Pastures,RangelandsandPaddocksPW PulpwoodRFI ResidualFeedIntakeRMSPE ResidualMeanSquarePredictionErrorRUSLE2 RevisedUniversalSoilLossEquation2SF6 SulfurHexafluorideSFC SteamflakedCornSL SawlogsSMS SandManureSeparationSO4 SulfateSOC SoilOrganicCarbonSSURGO SoilSurveyGeographicDatabaseSTATSGO StateSoilGeographicDatabaseSTIRModel SoilTillageIntensityRatingSW SoftwoodTAN TotalAmmoniacalNitrogenTDN TotalDigestibleNutrientsTMR TotalMixedRationUASB UpflowAnaerobicSludgeBlanketUFORE UrbanForestEffectsUNFCCC UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChangeUSDA UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgricultureUSDAARS USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceUSDANASS USDANationalAgriculturalStatisticsServiceUSDAPM USDAProjectManagerUUN UrinaryUreaNitrogenUV UltravioletVFA VolatileFattyAcids

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VS VolatileSolidsWCGF WetCornGlutenFeedWEPS WindErosionPredictionSystemYm MethaneConversionRate

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TableofContentsExecutiveSummary1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................................................11

1.1 OverviewoftheReport....................................................................................................................................................111.2 ReportObjectives...............................................................................................................................................................131.3 ProcessfortheDevelopmentoftheMethods........................................................................................................141.4 ContentsoftheReport.....................................................................................................................................................171.5 UsesandLimitationsoftheReport............................................................................................................................18Chapter1References...................................................................................................................................................................111

2. ConsiderationswhenEstimatingAgricultureandForestryGHGEmissionsandRemovals...........22

2.1 Scope........................................................................................................................................................................................222.1.1 DefinitionofEntity............................................................................................................................222.1.2 DefinitionofSystemBoundaries................................................................................................23

2.2 ReviewofRelevantCurrentToolsandMethods...............................................................................................2122.3 SelectionofMostAppropriateMethodandMitigationPracticestoInclude........................................2132.4 OverviewofSectors........................................................................................................................................................214

2.4.1 CroplandsandGrazingLands...................................................................................................2172.4.2 Wetlands.............................................................................................................................................2182.4.3 AnimalProduction.........................................................................................................................2192.4.4 Forestry...............................................................................................................................................221

2.5 LanduseChange..............................................................................................................................................................223Chapter2References...................................................................................................................................................................224

3 QuantifyingGreenhouseGasSourcesandSinksinCroplandandGrazingLandSystems...............31

3.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................313.1.1 OverviewofManagementPracticesandResultingGHGEmissions...........................323.1.2 SystemBoundariesandTemporalScale.................................................................................363.1.3 SummaryofSelectedMethods/ModelsSourcesofData..................................................363.1.4 OrganizationofChapter/Roadmap...........................................................................................37

3.2 CroplandManagement.....................................................................................................................................................373.2.1 ManagementInfluencingGHGEmissionsinUplandSystems.......................................373.2.2 ManagementInfluencingGHGEmissionsinFloodedCroppingSystems..............3203.2.3 LanduseChangetoCropland...................................................................................................323

3.3 GrazingLandManagement..........................................................................................................................................3253.3.1 ManagementActivityInfluencingGHGEmissions...........................................................3253.3.2 LandUseChangetoGrazingLands........................................................................................331

3.4 Agroforestry.......................................................................................................................................................................3323.4.1 CarbonStocks...................................................................................................................................3353.4.2 NitrousOxide....................................................................................................................................3363.4.3 Methane..............................................................................................................................................3363.4.4 ManagementInteractions...........................................................................................................337

3.5 EstimationMethods.......................................................................................................................................................3373.5.1 BiomassCarbonStockChanges................................................................................................3383.5.2 LitterCarbonStockChanges......................................................................................................3433.5.3 SoilCarbonStockChanges..........................................................................................................3443.5.4 SoilNitrousOxide...........................................................................................................................3513.5.5 MethaneUptakebySoils.............................................................................................................3663.5.6 MethaneandNitrousOxidefromFloodedRiceCultivation........................................368

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3.5.7 CO2fromLiming..............................................................................................................................3753.5.8 NonCO2EmissionsfromBiomassBurning........................................................................3773.5.9 CO2fromUreaFertilizerApplications...................................................................................382

3.6 SummaryofResearchGapsforCropandGrazingLandManagement....................................................384Appendix3A:SoilN2OModelingFrameworkSpecifications...................................................................................3893A.1DescriptionofProcessBasedModels......................................................................................................................3903A.2EmpiricalScalarsforBaseEmissionRates............................................................................................................3973A.3PracticeBasedScalingFactors...................................................................................................................................398Chapter3References.................................................................................................................................................................3104

4 QuantifyingGreenhouseGasSourcesandSinksinManagedWetlandSystems.................................41

4.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................414.1.1 OverviewofManagementPracticesandResultingGHGEmissions..........................424.1.2 SystemBoundariesandTemporalScale................................................................................454.1.3 SummaryofSelectedMethods/ModelsandSourcesofData.......................................454.1.4 OrganizationofChapter/Roadmap..........................................................................................46

4.2 ManagementandRestorationofWetlands.............................................................................................................464.2.1 DescriptionofWetlandManagementPractices..................................................................464.2.2 LandUseChangetoWetlands.................................................................................................411

4.3 EstimationMethods.......................................................................................................................................................4124.3.1 BiomassCinWetlands................................................................................................................4124.3.2 SoilC,N2OandCH4inWetlands.............................................................................................415

4.4 ResearchGapsforWetlandManagement.............................................................................................................420Chapter4References...................................................................................................................................................................422

5 QuantifyingGreenhouseGasSourcesandSinksinAnimalProductionSystems...............................51

5.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................515.1.1 OverviewofManagementPracticesandResultingGHGEmissions...........................515.1.2 SystemBoundariesandTemporalScale.................................................................................575.1.3 SummaryofSelectedMethods/Models/SourcesofData..............................................585.1.4 OrganizationofChapter/Roadmap...........................................................................................59

5.2 AnimalProductionSystems........................................................................................................................................5115.2.1 DairyProductionSystems..........................................................................................................5125.2.2 BeefProductionSystems.............................................................................................................5155.2.3 SheepProductionSystems.........................................................................................................5185.2.4 SwineProductionSystems.........................................................................................................5195.2.5 PoultryProductionSystems......................................................................................................522

5.3 EmissionsfromEntericFermentationandHousing........................................................................................5255.3.1 EmissionsfromDairyProductionSystems.........................................................................5295.3.2 EmissionsfromBeefProductionSystems...........................................................................5355.3.3 EmissionsfromSheep..................................................................................................................5415.3.4 EmissionsfromSwineProductionSystems........................................................................5425.3.5 EmissionsfromPoultryProductionSystems.....................................................................5455.3.6 EmissionsfromOtherAnimals.................................................................................................5485.3.7 FactorsAffectingEntericFermentationEmissions.........................................................5505.3.8 UncertaintyinEntericFermentationandHousingEmissionsEstimates.............557

5.4 ManureManagement.....................................................................................................................................................5585.4.1 TemporaryStack&LongTermStockpile...........................................................................5605.4.2 Composting........................................................................................................................................5645.4.3 AerobicLagoon................................................................................................................................5695.4.4 AnaerobicLagoon,RunoffHoldingPond,StorageTanks.............................................5715.4.5 AnaerobicDigestionwithBiogasUtilization......................................................................575

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5.4.6 CombinedAerobicTreatmentSystems................................................................................5775.4.7 SandManureSeparation.............................................................................................................5785.4.8 NutrientRemoval...........................................................................................................................5795.4.9 SolidLiquidSeparation...............................................................................................................5795.4.10 ConstructedWetland..................................................................................................................5815.4.11 ThermochemicalConversion................................................................................................5825.4.12 UncertaintyinManureManagementEmissionsEstimates.......................................583

5.5 ResearchGaps...................................................................................................................................................................5945.5.1 EntericFermentation.................................................................................................................5945.5.2 ManureManagement..................................................................................................................595

Appendix5A:ModelReview:ReviewofEntericFermentationModels.........................................................................598Appendix5B:ManureManagementSystemsShapeFactors( )...................................................................................5108Appendix5C:FeedStuffsCompositionTable..........................................................................................................................5111Appendix5D:EstimationMethodsforAmmoniaEmissionsfromManureManagementSystems.................5120

5D.1 MethodforEstimatingAmmoniaEmissionsUsingEquationsfromtheIntegratedFarmSystemModel 51205D.1.1 RationaleforSelectedMethod......................................................................................................................51205D.1.2 ActivityData..........................................................................................................................................................51205D.1.3 AncillaryData.......................................................................................................................................................51215D.2 MethodforAmmoniaEmissionsfromTemporaryStack,LongTermStockpile,AnaerobicLagoons/RunoffHoldingPonds/StorageTanks,andAerobicLagoons..............................................................51215D.3 Composting..................................................................................................................................................................51265D.3.1 RationaleforSelectedMethod......................................................................................................................51265D.3.2 ActivityData..........................................................................................................................................................51265D.3.3 AncillaryData.......................................................................................................................................................51265D.3.4 MethodforAmmoniaEmissionsfromComposting.............................................................................5126Chapter5References.................................................................................................................................................................5128

6 QuantifyingGreenhouseGasSourcesandSinksinManagedForestSystems.....................................61

6.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................616.1.1 OverviewofManagementPracticesandResultingGHGEmissions...........................616.1.2 SystemBoundariesandTemporalScale.................................................................................656.1.3 SummaryofSelectedMethods/Models...................................................................................656.1.4 SourcesofData...................................................................................................................................676.1.5 OrganizationofChapter/Roadmap...........................................................................................67

6.2 ForestCarbonAccounting...........................................................................................................................................6106.2.1 DescriptionofForestCarbonAccounting............................................................................6106.2.2 DataCollectionforForestCarbonAccounting..................................................................6186.2.3 EstimationMethods.......................................................................................................................6206.2.4 Uncertainty,Limitations,andResearchGaps....................................................................623

6.3 Establishing,Reestablishing,andClearingForests........................................................................................6246.3.1 Description........................................................................................................................................6246.3.2 ActivityDataCollection................................................................................................................6286.3.3 EstimationMethods.......................................................................................................................6296.3.4 SpecificProtocolforComputation..........................................................................................6326.3.5 ActualGHGRemovalsandEmissionsbySourcesandSinksfromForest

Clearing.................................................................................................................................6386.3.6 UncertaintyandLimitations......................................................................................................639

6.4 ForestManagement........................................................................................................................................................6406.4.1 Description........................................................................................................................................6406.4.2 ActivityData......................................................................................................................................648

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6.4.3 ManagementIntensityCategories..........................................................................................6516.4.4 EstimationMethods.......................................................................................................................6586.4.5 UncertaintyandLimitations......................................................................................................660

6.5 HarvestedWoodProducts...........................................................................................................................................6616.5.1 GeneralAccountingIssues..........................................................................................................6616.5.2 EstimationMethods.......................................................................................................................6626.5.3 ActivityDataCollection................................................................................................................6636.5.4 Uncertainty,Limitations,andResearchGaps....................................................................664

6.6 UrbanForestry..................................................................................................................................................................6656.6.1 Description........................................................................................................................................6656.6.2 ActivityDataCollection................................................................................................................6676.6.3 EstimationMethods.......................................................................................................................6696.6.4 UncertaintyandLimitations......................................................................................................675

6.7 NaturalDisturbanceWildfireandPrescribedFire.......................................................................................6776.7.1 Description........................................................................................................................................6776.7.2 ActivityDataCollection................................................................................................................6776.7.3 EstimationMethods.......................................................................................................................6776.7.4 UncertaintyandLimitations......................................................................................................681

Appendix6A:HarvestedWoodProductsLookupTables..........................................................................................682Chapter6References.................................................................................................................................................................6101

7 QuantifyingGreenhouseGasSourcesandSinksfromLandUseChange..............................................71

7.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................................717.2 DefinitionsofLandUse....................................................................................................................................................727.3 Caveats....................................................................................................................................................................................747.4 StepsforEstimatingGHGFluxfromLandUseChange.....................................................................................74

7.4.1 CarbonPoolsinLiveBiomass,DeadBiomass,andSoilOrganicCarbon..................767.4.2 ChangesinSoilCarbon....................................................................................................................767.4.3 ChangesinotherGHGemissions.............................................................................................711

Chapter7References...................................................................................................................................................................7128. UncertaintyAssessmentforQuantifyingGreenhouseGasSourcesandSinks....................................81

ComponentsandInputstoanEntityScaleMonteCarloUncertaintyAssessment...............................828.18.1.1 ParameterUncertainty....................................................................................................................838.1.2 SamplingMethodUncertainty.....................................................................................................848.1.3 LargeDatasetUncertainty.............................................................................................................878.1.4 ModelUncertainty..........................................................................................................................813

ResearchGaps...................................................................................................................................................................8188.2Chapter8References...................................................................................................................................................................819Appendix8A:ExampleOutputFilefromFVSSamplingUncertaintyBootstrappingApplicationFVSBoot(asprovidedinGreggandHummel,2002)........................................................................................................................822Appendix8B:UncertaintyTables.........................................................................................................................................823

Executive Summary

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ExecutiveSummary

SCIENCEBASEDMETHODSFORENTITYSCALEQUANTIFICATIONOFGREENHOUSEGASSOURCESANDSINKSFROMAGRICULTUREANDFORESTRY

PRACTICES

BackgroundProvisionsofSection2709oftheFood,ConservationandEnergyActof2008,directtheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)topreparetechnicalguidelinesandsciencebasedmethodstomeasureenvironmentalservicebenefitsfromconservationandlandmanagementactivities,initiallyfocusedoncarbon.Themethodscontainedinthisdocumentaddressgreenhousegasemissionsandremovalsfromagriculturalandforestryactivities.Throughthedevelopmentofthisreport,theUSDAhaspreparedtwoprimaryproducts:1. Acomprehensivereviewoftechniques

currentlyinuseforestimatingGHGemissionsandremovalsfromagriculturalandforestryactivities;and

2. AtechnicalreportdocumentoutliningthepreferredsciencebasedapproachandspecificmethodsforestimatingGHGemissionsatthefarmorforestscale(i.e.,thisdocument).

PurposeoftheReportTheobjectiveforthisReportistocreateastandardsetofGHGestimationmethodsforusebyUSDA,landowners,andotherstakeholderstoassisttheminevaluatingtheGHGimpactsoftheirmanagementdecisions.ThemethodspresentedintheReportaddressGHGemissionsandcarbonsequestrationfortheentireentityoroperation,andalsoprovidetheopportunitytoassessindividualpracticesormanagementdecisions.Therefore,easeofuseiscritical.AcoobjectiveistodemonstratecapacitywithintheDepartment,establishingastandardized,consensussetofmethodsfortheDepartment,thatbecomethescientificbasisforentityscaleestimationoftheGHGimpactsoflandownermanagementdecisions.Therefore,scientificrigorandtransparencyarealsocritical.ThisReportwillbeusedwithintheDepartmentandbyfarmers,ranchers,andforestlandowners,andwillbemadepubliclyavailable.Thesemethodsaredesignedto:

1. Providescientificbasisforcomprehensivemethodsthatcanbeusedbylandownersandmanagers,USDAandotherstakeholderstoestimatechangesinGHGemissionsandremovalsatthelocalentityscale;

UsesoftheReportandMethods:

EstimatingincreasesanddecreasesinGHGemissionsandcarbonsequestrationresultingfromcurrentandfutureconservationprogramsandpractices;

EvaluatingandimprovingnationalandregionalGHGinventoryefforts;and

EstimatingincreasesanddecreasesinGHGemissionsandcarbonsequestrationassociatedwithchangesinlandmanagement.

Executive Summary


2. CreateastandardsetofGHGquantificationguidelinesandmethodsforusebyallstakeholders;

3. Quantifyallsignificantemissionsandremovalsassociatedwithspecificsourcecategories;4. Quantifyemissionsfromlandusechangeandcarbonsequestrationfromlandmanagement

practicesandtechnologies;and5. Supportthedevelopmentofentity,farm,orforestscaleGHGinventoriesthatwill

facilitatetheparticipationoflandownersinpublicandprivateregistriesandreportingsystems.

TheReportalsoservesasinputintothedevelopmentofaUSDAGHGEstimationTool.TheReportandthemethodsarenotintendedasanadditiontoorreplacementofanycurrentFederalGHGreportingsystemsorrequirements.ProcessfortheDevelopmentoftheReportThisReportwasdevelopedbythreeauthorteams(i.e.,workinggroups)underthedirectionofoneleadauthorforeachteam(plusonecoleadauthorfortheforestrychapter).TheleadauthorswerechosenbasedontheirexperiencewithGHGinventoriesandaccountingmethodologies,andtheirprofessionalresearchexperience.Withinputfromeachleadauthor,USDAchose812workinggroupmembersperteamtowritetheReport.Theseworkinggroupmemberseachhaddifferentbackgroundsthatfitwiththeanticipatedcontentofthedocument,andalsohadexperiencewithGHGaccountingand/orfieldresearchthatwasuniqueandaddressedoneormoreofthenichemethodsthatwereessentialforensuringthecomprehensivenessofthemethodsforeachsector.Theauthorteamswereprovidedwithapreliminaryoutlineoftheirchapterandwithtwobackgroundreportsdevelopedaspartoftheproject.Onebackgroundreportwasananalysisofthescientificliteraturerelatedtoratesofcarbonsequestrationoremissionsreductionresultingfromvariousmanagementpracticesandtechnologies(Denefetal.,2011).Theotherreportwasacompilationofalloftheavailabletools,protocolsandmodels,withbasicinformationoneachone(Denefetal.,2012).Themethodsweredevelopedaccordingtoseveralcriteriainordertomaximizetheirusefulness.Inparticular,themethodsmust:

1. Standontheirown,independentofanyotheraccountingsystem,yetmaintainconsistencywithotheraccountingsystemstothemaximumextentpossible;

2. Bescalableforuseatentityscale1sitesacrosstheUnitedStates,withapplicabilityatcountyand/orstatelevelsaswell;

3. FacilitateusebyUSDAinassessingtheperformanceofconservationandrenewableenergyprograms;

4. ProvideabroadframeworktoassessmanagementpracticestoevaluatetheGHGaspectofproductionsustainability;

1Anentityisthewholeorpartofanyagriculturalorforestrylandholding,landmanaging,oroperatingbusiness,institution,organization,group,cooperative,partnership,orindividualthat:isrecognizedasanentityunderanyU.S.Federal,State,orlocallawthatappliestoit;islocatedandoperates,atleastinpart,intheUnitedStates;andtheemissionsofsuchoperationsarereleased,atleastinpart,intheUnitedStates.

Executive Summary


5. Maintainmaximumapplicabilityforuseinenvironmentalmarkets,includingpossiblefuturefederal,stateorlocalGHGoffsetsinitiatives;

6. BescientificallyvettedthroughUSDA,U.S.governmentandacademicexpertreviewandpubliccomment;

7. Providereliable,real,andverifiableestimatesofonsiteGHGemissions,carbonstorage,andcarbonsequestration.ThemethodswillbedesignedsothatovertimetheycanbeappliedtoquantifyonsiteGHGreductionsandincreasesincarbonstorageduetoconservationandlandmanagementactivities;and

8. Provideabasisforconsistencyinestimationandtransparencyinreporting.DevelopmentoftheReporthasbeeniterativeasvariousdraftsofthedocumenthavebeenputthroughseveralreviewstagesincluding:anUSDAintraagencytechnicalreview,aninteragencytechnicalreview,ascientificexpertreview,andapubliccommentperiod.Thisversionofthereportconstitutestheversionforpublicreview.Finalpublicationofthereportisanticipatedduringthefallof2013.OverviewofRecommendedGHGEstimationMethodsintheReportThissectionprovidesanoverviewofthecurrentestimationmethodsorapproachesanentitycouldusetoestimateGHGemissionsandsinksontheirproperty.ThisoverviewisfollowedbyasummaryofeachsectorsproposedmethodologiesforentityGHGestimations.ThereareseveralapproachesthatafarmerorlandownercanusetoestimateGHGemissionsatanentityscale,andeachapproachgivesvaryingaccuracyandprecision.Themostaccuratewayofestimatingemissionsisthroughdirectmeasurement,whichoftenrequiresexpensiveequipmentortechniquesthatarenotfeasibleforaforasinglelandownerormanager.Ontheotherhand,lookuptablesandestimationequationsaloneoftendonotadequatelyrepresentlocalvariabilityorlocalconditions.Thisreportattemptstodelineatemethodsthatbalanceuserfriendliness,datarequirements,andscientificrigorinawaythatistransparentandjustified.Thefollowingapproacheswereconsideredfortheseguidelines: Basicestimationequationsbasicestimationequationsinvolvecombinationsofactivity

data2withparametersanddefaultemissionfactors.Anydefaultparametersordefaultemissionfactors(e.g.,lookuptables)areprovidedinthetext,orifsubstantialinlength,inanaccompanyingcompendiumofdata.

Processmodelsprocessmodelsusecombinationsofactivitydatawithparametersanddefaultemissionfactors.Theinputsforthesemodelscanbeancillarydata(e.g.,temperature,precipitation,elevation,andsoilnutrientlevelsthatmaybepulledfromanunderlyingsource),biologicalvariables(e.g.,plantdiversity)orsitespecificdata(e.g.,numberofacres,numberofanimals).Theaccuracyoftheprocessmodelsisdependentontherobustnessofthemodelandtheaccuracyoftheinputs.

2ActivityDatarepresentthemagnitudeofhumanactivityresultinginemissionsorremovalstakingplaceduringagivenperiodoftime(IPCC,1997).

Executive Summary


Fieldmeasurementsactualmeasurementsthatafarmerorlandownerwouldneedtotaketomoreaccuratelyestimatethepropertiesofthesoil,forest,orfarmortoestimateactualemissions.Measuringactualemissionsonthelandrequiresspecialequipmentthatmonitorstheflowofgasesfromthesourceintotheatmosphere.Thisequipmentisnotreadilyavailabletomostentities,somoreoftenfieldmeasurementsareincorporatedintoothermethodsdescribedinthissectiontocreateahybridapproach.Afieldmeasurementsuchasasamplemeantreediametercouldbeincorporatedintoothermodelsorequationstogiveamoreaccurateinput.

Inferencethisapproachusesstate,regional,ornationalemissions/sequestrationfactorsthatapproximateemissions/sequestrationperunitoftheinput.Theinputdataisthenmultipliedbythisfactortodeterminethetotalonsiteemissions.Thisfactorcanhavevaryingdegreesofaccuracyandoftendoesnotcapturethemitigationpracticesonthefarmortheuniquesoilconditions,climate,livestockdiet,livestockgenetics,oranyfarmspecificcharacteristics,althoughtheycanbedevelopedwithspecificsoiltypes,livestockcategories,orclimacticregions.

Hybridestimationapproachesahybridestimationapproachisanapproachthatusesacombinationoftheapproachesdescribedabove.Theapproachoftenusesfieldmeasurementsorprocessmodelstogenerateinputsusedforaninferencebasedapproachtoimprovetheaccuracyoftheestimate.

ThetypesofapproachesthattheauthorsrecommendedinthisReportareIPCCTier1,IPCCTier2,modifiedIPCC/empiricalmodeling,andprocessbasedmodeling.TableES1categorizesthesourcesofemissionswiththetypesofapproachesthatarerecommendedinthisReport.TableES2summarizesthesourcesofagriculturalandforestryGHGemissionsandremovalsdiscussedinthisreport,therecommendedmethodforestimatingemissionsandremovalsforeachsourcecategory,andthereference(s)usedforthedevelopmentofthemethod.

Executive Summary


TableES1:SummaryoftheSourcesofEmissionsandTypesofApproachesinthisReport

IPCCTier1 IPCCTier2ModifiedIPCCorEmpiricalModel

ProcessedBasedModel

Croplands/GrazingLands

IndirectN2OEmissions

CO2fromUreaFertilizerApplication

CH4EmissionsfromRiceCultivation

DirectN2OEmissionsfromDrainageofOrganicSoils

SoilOrganicCarbonStocksforOrganicSoils

CO2fromLiming N2OEmissionsfromRiceCultivation

NonCO2EmissionsfromBiomassBurning

CH4 UptakebySoils

DirectN2OEmissionsfromMineralSoils

BiomassCarbonStockChanges

SoilOrganicCarbonStocksforMineralSoils

Wet

lands BiomassCarbon

SoilC,N2O,andCH4

AnimalProduction3

Swine OtherAnimals(Goats,AmericanBison)

Poultry PoultryManure AerobicLagoonCH4,N2O

TemporaryStackandLongTermStockpileCH4

Composting

DairyCattle,Sheep,CowCalf,Stockers,FeedlotCattle

TemporaryStackandLongTermStockpileN2O

AnaerobicLagoon,RunoffHoldingPond,StorageTanks

CombinedAerobicTreatmentSystems

AnaerobicDigesterCH4

ManureinHousingAreasCH4,N2O

ManurefromBarnFloorsandBeddedPackCH4

Forestry Establishing,Reestablishing,and

ClearingForest HarvestedWoodProducts

ForestCarbon ForestManagement UrbanForestry EmissionsfromNaturalDisturbances

3Ammonia(NH3),asanimportantprecursortoGHGs,isincludedinanimalproductionsystemsdiscussionwherenecessary,butisnotofprimaryfocus.Ifreadersareinterestedinmoretechnicalinformation,methodsforestimatingNH3emissionscanbefoundinAppendix5D

Executive Summary


OrganizationoftheReportTheReportislargelyorganizedbysectorwitheachchapterprovidinganoverviewofmanagementpracticesandresultingGHGemissionsandremovals.Foreachsector,backgroundandinformationonmanagementpracticesarepresentedfirst,followedbythedetailedmethodsproposedforestimatingemissionsandremovalsforthosepractices.Chapter1providesanintroductionincludinganoverviewofthereport,reportobjectives,contentsofthereport,andusesandlimitationsofthereport.Chapter2describesthelinkagesandcrosscuttingissuesrelatingtosectorspecificandentityscaleestimationofGHGemissionsandremovals.Chapter3describestheGHGemissionsfromcropandgrazinglandsystems.ThechapterpresentsmethodsforestimatingtheinfluenceoflanduseandmanagementpracticesonGHGemissions(andremovals)incropandgrazinglandsystems.Methodsaredescribedforestimating:biomassandsoilcarbonstockschanges,directandindirectsoilnitrousoxide(N2O)emissions,methane(CH4)andN2Oemissionsfromwetlandrice,CH4uptakeinsoils,carbondioxide(CO2)emissionsorremovalsfromliming,nonCO2GHGemissionsfrombiomassburning,andCO2emissionsfromureafertilizerapplication.Chapter4providesguidanceforestimationofcarbonstockchanges,CH4,andN2Oemissionsfromwetlands.Chapter5describesonfarmGHGemissionsfromtheproductionoflivestockandmanuremanagement.Theproductionisdividedbysector(beef,dairy,sheep,swine,andpoultry);however,themanuremanagementsectoriscombinedforalltypesofmanure.Chapter6providesguidanceonestimatingcarbonsequestrationandGHGemissionsfortheforestsector.Thechapterisorganizedtoprovideanoverviewoftheelementsofforestcarbonaccounting,includingdefinitionsofthekeycarbonpoolsandbasicmethodsfortheirestimation.Chapter7providesguidanceonestimatingthenetGHGemissionsandremovalsresultingfromchangesbetweenlandtypesi.e.,conversionsintoandoutofcropland,wetland,grazingland,orforestlandattheentityscale.SummaryIndevelopingthisReport,theauthorshavesoughttooutlinethemoststateoftheartandsuitablesciencebasedapproachesandspecificmethodsforestimatingfarmorforestscaleGHGemissions(seeTableES2).Insomecases,theproposedmethodshavenotpreviouslybeenappliedinspecificallythewaythatisproposed.Forexample,theforestrysystemschapterdescribestheintegrationoftheForestVegetationSimulator(FVS)withinotherestimationandtoolsforforestcarbonaccounting.ThisapplicationofFVS,whiletechnicallysound,willrequireadditionalefforttoimplement.Inothercases,theauthorshaveproposednewmethodsthatbuildonorenhancepreviouslyusedmethods.Forexample,anewhybridapproachisproposedforestimatingdirectandindirectsoilN2Oemissionsforcroplandsandgrazinglands.Thehybridapproachusesmodelstoderiveexpectedemissionratesatthetypicalfertilizationrateforthemajorsoiltextures,weatherpatterns,andcroprotationsystemsineachUSDALandResourceRegion;andusesametaanalysisofempiricalstudiestodevelopemissionscalingfactor.ThishybridapproachistheresultofaworkshopheldinFebruary2012thatconvenedexpertsonN2OemissionsfromcroplandsinordertodevelopestimationmethodsthatwereinclusiveandbestmettheobjectivesofUSDA.Inadditiontoproposingsciencebasedmethods,theauthorsalsoacknowledgethatforcertainpracticesandtechnologies,adequatedatadonotcurrentlyexisttoaccuratelyestimateGHGemissionsand/orcarbonsequestration.Ineachsectorchapter,theauthorshaveincludedadiscussionofresearchgaps,orpriorityareasforfuturedatacollectionthatareimportantinordertoimprovethecompletenessandaccuracyoftheestimationmethodsputforthinthisReport.Inthecontinualefforttoadvancethescienceandimprovetheunderstandingofthesecomplexanddynamicsystems,thisReportprovidesthefoundationforentityleveltoolstomeasurethegreenhousegas(GHG)benefitsfromconservationandlandmanagementactivities.

Executive Summary


ReferencesDenef,K.,S.Archibeque,andK.Paustian.2011.GreenhouseGasEmissionsfromU.S.Agricultureand

Forestry:AReviewofEmissionSources,ControllingFactors,andMitigationPotential:InterimreporttoUSDAunderContract#GS23F8182H.http://www.usda.gov/oce/climate_change/techguide/Denef_et_al_2011_Review_of_reviews_v1.0.pdf.

Denef,K.,K.Paustian,S.Archibeque,S.Biggar,etal.2012.ReportofGreenhouseGasAccountingToolsforAgricultureandForestrySectors:InterimreporttoUSDAunderContract#GS23F8182H.http://www.usda.gov/oce/climate_change/techguide/Denef_et_al_2011_Review_of_reviews_v1.0.pdf.

IPCC.1997.Revised1996IPCCGuidelinesforNationalGreenhouseGasInventories,PreparedbytheNationalGreenhouseGasInventoriesProgramme.Bracknell,UK:IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange.http://www.ipccnggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/vol4.html.

Little,S.,J.Linderman,K.MacLean,andH.Janzen.2008.HOLOSatooltoestimateandreducegreenhousegasesfromfarms.Methodologyandalgorithmsforversions1.1x:AgricultureandAgriFoodCanada.http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFCAAC/displayafficher.do?id=1226606460726&lang=eng#s1.

Ogle,S.M.,F.J.Breidt,M.Easter,S.Williams,etal.2007.Anempiricallybasedapproachforestimatinguncertaintyassociatedwithmodellingcarbonsequestrationinsoils.EcologicalModelling205(34):453463.

Parton,W.J.,J.M.O.Scurlock,D.S.Ojima,T.G.Gilmanov,etal.1993.Observationsandmodelingofbiomassandsoilorganicmatterdynamicsforgrasslandbiomesworldwide.GlobalBiogeochemicalCycles7:785809.

Executive Summary


TableES2:SummaryofSourceCategories,RecommendedMethods,andEmissionFactorsinthisReport4

Source MethodologyApproach PotentialManagementPractices SourceofEmissionFactors ImprovementsComparedtootherGHGMethodologiesCroplands/GrazingLands

BiomassCarbonStockChanges

HerbaceousbiomassisestimatedwithanIPCCTier2methodusingentityspecificdataasinputintotheIPCCequationsdevelopedbyLascoetal.(2006)andVerchotetal.(2006).WoodyplantgrowthandlossesinagroforestryorperennialtreecropsareestimatedwithanIPCCTier3method,usingasimulationmodelapproachwithentityinput.

Changesintheestimatedbiomasscarbonstockforcroplandandgrazinglandifthereisalandusechangeorachangeinthecroporforagespecies.

U.S.specificdefaultvalues(Westetal.,2010)areusedforestimatingbiomasscarbonforannualcropsandgrazinglandsTheIPCCdefaultisproposedforestimatingthecarbonfractionvalue.YieldinunitsofdrymattercanbeestimatedbytheentityoraveragevaluesfromUSDANASSstatisticscanbeused.

ThismethodwaschosenbecauseitcapturestheinfluenceoflandusechangeandchangesincroporforagespeciesonbiomasscarbonstocksbyusingU.S.specificdefaultvalueswhereentityspecificdataarenotavailableandaprocessbasedsimulationmodelforagroforestrysystems.

SoilOrganicCarbonstocksformineralsoils

AnIPCCTier3methodisusedtoestimatethesoilorganiccarbon(SOC)atthebeginningandendoftheyearformineralsoilswiththeDAYCENTprocessbasedmodel.ThestocksareenteredintotheIPCCequationsdevelopedbyLascoetal.(2006),Verchotetal.(2006)toestimatecarbonstockchanges.

Additionofcarboninmanureandotherorganicamendments;tillageintensity;residuemanagement(retentioninfieldwithoutincorporation,retentioninthefieldwithincorporation,andremovalwithharvest,burning,orgrazing);influenceofbareandvegetatedfallows;irrigationeffectsondecompositionincroplandandgrazinglandsystems;settingasidecroplandfromproduction;influenceoffireonoxidationofsoilorganicmatter;andwoodyplantencroachment,agroforestry,andsilvopastureeffectsoncarboninputsandoutputs.

TheDAYCENTmodel(Partonetal.,1987).

DAYCENTmodelhasbeendemonstratedtorepresentthedynamicsofsoilorganiccarbonandestimatesoilorganiccarbonstockchangeincroplandandgrasslands(Partonetal.,1993).TherehavebeenuncertaintiesnotedinthemodelinOgleetal.(2007).Themodelcapturessoilmoisturedynamics,plantproduction,andthermalcontrolsonnetprimaryproductionanddecompositionwithatimestepofamonthorless.

4Fullreferencesareprovidedintheassociatedchapter.

Executive Summary


Source MethodologyApproach PotentialManagementPractices SourceofEmissionFactors ImprovementsComparedtootherGHGMethodologies

SoilOrganicCarbonstocksfororganicsoils

CO2emissionsfromdrainageoforganicsoils(i.e.,histosols)areestimatedwithanIPCCTier2methodusingtheIPCCequationdevelopedbyAaldeetal.(2006)usingregionspecificemissionfactorsfromOgleetal.(2003).

Croplanddrainage.

EmissionfactorsarefromOgleetal.(2003)andareregionspecific,basedontypicaldrainagepatternsandclimaticcontrols(e.g.,temperature/precipitation)ondecompositionrates.

UsesentityspecificannualdataasinputintotheequationusedintheU.S.Inventory.

DirectN2OEmissionsfromMineralSoils

ThedirectN2OmethodsareestimatedwithanIPCCTier3method.Formajorcommoditycrops,(e.g.,corn,cotton,alfalfa)acombinationofexperimentaldataandprocessbasedmodelingusingDAYCENT5andDNDC6areusedtoderiveexpectedbaseemissionratesfordifferentsoiltextureclassesineachUSDALandResourceRegion.Forminorcommoditycrops(e.g.,barley,oats,peanuts)andincaseswherethereareinsufficientempiricaldatatoderiveabaseemissionrate,thebaseemissionrateisbasedontheIPCCdefaultfactormultipliedbytheagronomicNinput(DeKleinetal.,2006).Theseemissionratesarescaledwithpracticebasedscalingfactorstoestimatetheinfluenceofmanagementchangessuchasapplicationofnitrificationinhibitorsorslowreleasefertilizers.

Nitrogenapplicationtocrops.Inaddition,specificmanagementpracticesareincludedasscalingfactorsthatinfluenceaportionortheentirepoolofmineralN.7ManagementPracticesthatinfluenceaportionoftheemissionrateinclude: Useofslowreleaseformulation Additionsofmanureorcompost Pasture/range/paddockNaddition

ManagementPracticesthatinfluencetheentirepoolofmineralNinclude: Nitrificationinhibitorapplication

Tillage Irrigation

Thebaseemissionfactorsareadjustedbyscalingfactorsrelatedtospecificcropmanagementpracticesthatarederivedfromexperimentaldata.

ThemethodisbasedonusingresultsfromprocessbasedmodelsandmeasuredN2OemissionsincombinationwithscalingfactorsbasedonU.S.specificempiricaldataonaseasonaltimescale.8

5TheversionofDAYCENTcodedandparameterizedforthemostrecentU.S.nationalGHGinventory(EPA,2013)wasusedtoderiveexpectedbaseemissionrates.6DNDC9.5compiledonFeb25,2013wasusedtoderiveexpectedbaseemissionrates.7Emissionscalingfactors(0to1)areusedtoadjusttheportionoftheemissionrateassociatedwithslowreleasefertilizers,andpasture/range/paddockmanureNadditions.ThescalingfactorsareadjustedbytheamountofNinfluencedbythesepracticesandinputsrelativetotheentirepoolofN.Incontrast,scalingfactorsforinhibitors,tillage,andirrigationareusedtoscaletheentireemissionrateundertheassumptionthatthesepracticesinfluencetheentirepoolofmineralNandnotjustthespecificformofNadded.8AfulldescriptionofthemethodisincludedinChapter3anditsappendix.Supplementaldataoutputsfromthemodelrunswillbeavailableonlinetodownload.

Executive Summary



DirectN2OEmissionsfromDrainageofOrganicSoils

DirectN2Oemissionsfromdrainageoforganicsoils,i.e.,Histosols,areestimatedwiththeIPCCTier1method(DeKleinetal.,2006).

DrainageofOrganicSoilsEmissionrateforcroppedHistosolsbasedonanIPCCTier1emissionfactorof0.008tonnesN2ONha1yr1.

UsesentityspecificannualdataasinputintotheequationusedintheUSDAInventory.

IndirectN2OEmissions

IndirectsoilN2OemissionsareestimatedwiththeIPCCTier1method(DeKleinetal.,2006).

IrrigationIPCCdefaultsareusedforestimatingtheproportionofnitrogenthatissubjecttoleaching,runoffandvolatilization.

Thismethodusesentityspecificseasonaldataonnitrogenmanagementpractices.

MethaneUptakebySoils

Methaneuptakebysoilisestimatedwithanequationthatusesaveragevaluesformethaneoxidationvaluesinnaturalvegetationwhethergrassland,coniferousforest,ordeciduousforestattenuatedbycurrentlandusepractices.ThisapproachisanIPCCTier3method.

Landmanagementincluding:cultivationforcropproduction,grazingingrasslands,forestharvest,grassland,orforestfertilization.

AnnualaverageCH4oxidationemissionsandremovalsarefromthedatasetusedbyDelGrossoetal.(2000).

ThisnewlydevelopedmethodologymakesuseofrecentU.S.basedresearchthatisnotaddressedbyIPCCortheU.S.Inventory.Themethodincorporatesentityspecificannualdata.

Executive Summary



MethaneandNitrousOxideEmissionsfromRiceCultivation

IPCCTier1methodsareusedtoestimateCH4andN2Oemissionsfromfloodedriceproduction(Lascoetal.,2006;DeKleinetal.,2006).

MethaneScalingfactorsaredifferentiatedbyhydrologicalcontext(e.g.,irrigated,rainfed,upland(i.e.,drysoil)allricefieldsintheUnitedStatesareirrigated),cultivationperiodfloodingregime(e.g.,continuous,multipleaeration),timesincelastflooding(priortocultivation;e.g.,over180days,under30days)andtypeoforganicamendment(e.g.,compost,farmyardmanure).NitrousOxide:additionsfrommineralfertilizers,organicamendments,andcropresidues.

Methane:thebaselineemissionfactor9ortypicaldailyrateatwhichCH4isproducedperunitoflandarearepresentsfieldsthatarecontinuouslyfloodedduringthecultivationperiod,notfloodedatallduringthe180dayspriortocultivationandreceivenoorganicamendments.CH4scalingfactorstoaccountforwaterregimescomefromLascoetal.(2006).N2O:emissionfactorsrelyonLascoetal.(2006)andthescalingfactortoaccountfordrainageeffectscomesfromAkiyamaetal.(2005;USDA,2011b).

TheN2OmethodusestheIPCC(2006)equationwiththeadditionofascalingfactorfordrainagefromAkiyamaetal.(2005).ThemethodformethaneemissionsusesentityspecificannualdataasinputintotheequationandisconsistentwithU.S.Inventorymethod.

CO2fromLiming

AnIPPCTier2methodisusedtoestimateCO2emissionsfromapplicationofcarbonatelimes(DeKleinetal.,2006)withU.S.specificemissionsfactors(adaptedfromWestandMcBride2005).

Theamountoflime,crushedlimestone,ordolomiteappliedtosoils.

U.S.specificemissionsfactors(WestandMcBride,2005).

UsesU.S.specificemissionfactorsasannualinputintotheIPCCequation,whichisconsistentwiththeU.S.Inventory.

NonCO2EmissionsfromBiomassBurning

NonCO2greenhousegasemissionsfrombiomassburningofgrazinglandvegetationorcropresiduesareestimatedwiththeIPCCTiermethod(Aaldeetal.2006).

Areaburned

EFsarefromvaluesintheIPCCguidelines(Aaldeetal.,2006)andWestetal.2010fortheresidue:yieldratios.

UsesentityspecificannualdataasinputintotheIPCCequation.

9Thisbaselinefactorrepresentsfieldsthatarecontinuouslyfloodedduringthecultivationperiod,notfloodedatallduringthe180dayspriortocultivation,andreceivenoorganicamendments.

Executive Summary



CO2fromUreaFertilizerApplication

CO2emissionsfromapplicationofureaorureabasedfertilizerstosoilsareestimatedwiththeIPCCTier1method(DeKleinetal.2006).

Theamountofureafertilizerappliedtosoils.

EFsarefromvaluesintheIPCCguidelines(DeKleinetal.,2006).ThismethodassumesthatthesourceofCO2usedtomanufactureureaisfossilfuelCO2capturedduringNH3manufacture.

UsesentityspecificannualdataasinputintotheIPCCequation,whichisusedfortheU.S.Inventory.

Wetlands

BiomassCarboninWetlands

MethodsforestimatingforestvegetationandshrubandgrasslandvegetationbiomasscarbonstocksuseacombinationoftheForestVegetationSimulatormodelandlookuptablesfordominantshrubandgrasslandvegetationtypesfoundintheCroplandandGrazingLandChapter.Ifthereisalandusechange,methodsforcroplandherbaceousbiomassaresuggested.

Forestedwetlands:SameasthosedescribedforuplandforestsinSection6.3.3.ShrubandGrasslandVegetation:SameasthosedescribedfortotalbiomasscarbonstockchangespresentedintheCropland/GrazingLandChaptersSections3.5.1.

Forestwetlands:RegionalvariantsareavailableforFVSthatallowforregionspecificfocusonspeciesandforestvegetationcommunities.Thedriverforproductivityistheavailabilityofsiteindexcurves,andtheRegionalVariantsincludemanywetlandtreespecies.However,ifaspeciesspecificcurveisnotavailable,thenadefaultfunctionisusedtoestimatecarbonstockchanges.ShrubandGrasslandVegetation:SameastheCroplands/GrazingLandsChapterSection3.5.1.

Usesentityspecificseasonaldata.NoIPCCmethodologiescurrentlyexistforthissource,hence,thisisanewlydevelopedmethod.

SoilCarbon,N2O,andCH4inWetlands

TheDNDCprocessbasedbiogeochemicalmodelisthemethodusedforestimatingsoilC,N2O,andCH4emissionsfromwetlands.DNDCpredictsplantgrowth,carbonandnitrogenbalance,andgenerationandemissionofsoilbornetracegasesbysimulatingcarbonandnitrogendynamicsinnaturalandagriculturalecosystems(Lietal.,2000;Miehleetal.,2006;Stangetal.,2000)andforestedwetlands(Zhangetal.,2002;Daietal.,2011).

Vegetationmanagement,watermanagementregime,soilmanagement,fertilizationpractices,andlandusehistory.

Processbasedmodelisused;hence,noemissionsfactorsareusedinthismethod.

ThismethodleveragestheDNDCmodeltosimulatesoilC,N2O,andCH4emissionsfromwetlandsonaseasonaltimescale.

Executive Summary



AnimalProductionSystems

EntericFermentation

DairyCattle

Mits3equationdevelopedbyMills,etal.(2003)andfurtherutilizedbyDairyGEM(Rotz,etal.,2011).Mits3equationisbasedprimarilyonmetabolizableenergyintake(MEI).Drymatterintake(DMI),starch,aciddetergentfiber(ADF),crudeprotein(CP),andtotaldigestiblenutrients(TDN)providetheinputsfortheequation.

Dietarychanges:increasingdrymatterintake(DMI),usingfibrousconcentrateratherthanstarchconcentrate,feedingrapidlydegradedstarch(suchasbarley),andadditionofdietaryfat.Activitychanges:confiningcurrentlygrazinganimals,fewerworkhoursperday,fewerdaysonfeedpriortoslaughter.

EmissionfactorscalculatedwithapproachdevelopedbyMillsetal.(2003)andRotzetal.(2011).

UseoftheDairyGEM/Mits3equationisrecommendedovertheIPCCTierIIequation(IPCC,2006)becauseithasproventobemoreaccurate,ingeneral,fordairycows.

CowCalf

IPCCTierIIapproach(IPCC,2006).Thecalculationconsidersweight,weightgain,matureweight,pregnancy,lactation,otheractivity(grazing,confined,dailywork),andtheenergycontentoftheanimals'diets.

Dietarychanges:increasingdrymatterintake(DMI),usingfibrousconcentrateratherthanstarchconcentrate,feedingrapidlydegradedstarch(suchasbarley),andadditionofdietaryfat.Activitychanges:confiningcurrentlygrazinganimals,fewerworkhoursperday.

EmissionfactorsaredeterminedwiththeIPCCTierIIequation(IPCC,2006).YmbasedonanimalspecificguidanceinEPA(2013)

Theequationsutilizedarethesameasexistinginventorymethods,however,themethodsutilizefarmspecificfeedtypesandutilizemonthly,ratherthanannual,leveldata(i.e.,accountforseasonalvariationinforagequality).

Stockers



EmissionfactorsaredeterminedwiththeIPCCTierIIequation(IPCC,2006)onanentitybyentitybasis.YmbasedonanimalspecificguidanceinEPA(2013)

Theequationsutilizedarethesameasexistinginventorymethods,however,themethodsutilizefarmspecificfeedtypesandutilizemonthly,ratherthanannual,leveldata(i.e.,accountforseasonalvariationinforagequality).

Executive Summary



FeedlotCattle



EmissionfactorsaredeterminedwiththeIPCCTierIIequation(IPCC,2006).YmbasedonguidancedevelopedbyHales(2012).

Thecalculationconsidersweight,weightgain,matureweight,pregnancy,lactation,otheractivity(grazing,confined,dailywork),andtheenergycontentoftheanimals'diets.

SheepHowdenequation(Howden,etal.,1994),basedondietarydrymatterintake(DMI).

Dietarychanges,butnowelldevelopedresearchduetodifficultyofobtainingaccuratefeedintakeestimatesforgrazingsheep.

TheequationfromHowden,etal.(1994)estimatesemissionsbasedsolelyondrymatterintake(DMI),hence,emissionfactorsnotutilized.

Thismethodusesactualmonthlyestimatesofdrymatterintake(DMI),ratherthanheadcount,asutilizedbytheIPCCTierIequation(IPCC,2006).

Swine IPCCTierIapproach(IPCC,2006). None.UtilizesIPCCTierIemissionfactorforU.S.(IPCC,2006),whichisindependentofweight.

None.

PoultryHOLOSmodelapproach,utilizinganemissionfactorforeachtypeofbirdandmultiplyingbypopulation(similartoIPCCTierIapproach)(Littleetal.,2008)

None. HOLOSmodelemissionfactorsforeachanimaltype(Littleetal.,2008). None.

OtherAnimals(Goats,AmericanBison)

IPCCTierIapproachforAmericanbison(basedonBuffalo,modifiedbyaverageanimalweight)andgoats(IPCC,2006).

None. UtilizesIPCCTierIemissionfactorforU.S.(IPCC,2006). None.

ManureStorageandTreatmentSolidManureStorageandTreatmentTemporaryStackandLongTermStockpile

MethaneEmissions

IPCCTier2approachusingIPCCandU.S.EPAInventoryemissionfactors,utilizingmonthlydataonvolatilesolidsanddrymanure.

Animaldiets. UtilizesacombinationofIPCCandU.S.EPAInventoryemissionfactors.UsesU.S.specificemissionfactorsandtakesintoaccountdietcharacterization.

Executive Summary



NitrousOxideEmissions

U.S.EPAInventorymethodutilizingU.S.basedemissionfactorsandmonthlydataonvolatilesolids,totalnitrogen,anddrymanure.

Durationofmanurestorage;animaldiets.

UtilizesemissionfactorsfromU.S.EPAInventory.

UsesU.S.specificemissionfactorsandtakesintoaccountdietcharacterization.

ManureStorageandTreatmentComposting

Methaneemissions

IPCCTier2approachusingU.S.EPAInventoryemissionfactors,utilizingmonthlydataonvolatilesolids,anddrymanure.

Configurationofstorageunit(e.g.,compostinginvessel,staticpile,intensivewindrow,passivewindrow);animaldiets.

UtilizesacombinationofIPCCandU.S.EPAInventoryemissionfactors.



IPCCTier2approachwithU.S.EPAInventoryemissionfactors,utilizingdataonanitrousoxideemissionfactor,totalinitialnitrogen,anddrymanure.

Configurationofstorageunit(e.g.,compostinginvessel,staticpile,intensivewindrow,passivewindrow);animaldiets.



LiquidManureStorageandTreatmentAerobicLagoon

MethaneEmissions

TheMCFforaerobictreatmentisnegligibleandwasdesignatedas0%inaccordancewiththeIPCC.

Notapplicable. UtilizesemissionfactorsfromIPCC. Notestimated.


IPCCTier2methodutilizingU.S.basedemissionfactorsfromtheU.S.EPAInventory.

Configurationofstorage(e.g.,volumeoflagoon),naturalorforcedaeration.


UtilizesU.S.basedemissionfactors.

LiquidManureStorageandTreatmentAnaerobicLagoon,RunoffHoldingPond,StorageTanks

MethaneEmissions

Sommermodel(2004)isusedwithdegradableandnondegradablefractionsofVSfromMolleretal.(2004).

Configurationofstorageunit(e.g.,coveredoruncoveredstorage,presenceorabsenceofcrust);animaldiets.

ParametersforestimationfromSommeretal.(2004).

Utilizesentityleveldietinformation.

Executive Summary




EmissionsareafunctionoftheexposedsurfaceareaandU.S.basedemissionfactors.

Configurationofstorageunit(e.g.,surfaceareaofmanure).

UtilizesemissionfactorsfromU.S.Inventory.

UtilizesU.S.specificemissionfactors.

LiquidManureStorageandTreatmentAnaerobicDigestion

MethaneEmissions

NotestimatedasanaerobicdigestionsystemconvertsorganiccarboninmanureintomethaneandsubsequentlycombustsmethaneintoCO2.

Configurationofdigester(e.g.,steelorlinedconcreteorfiberglassdigesterswithagasholdingsystemandmonolithicconstruction,UASBtypedigester).

Notapplicable. Notapplicable.

CombinedAerobicTreatmentSystems

MethaneEmissions

Assumedtobe10percentoftheemissionsresultingfrommethodtoestimateemissionsfromLiquidManureStorageandTreatmentAnaerobicLagoon,RunoffHoldingPond,StorageTanks.

Configurationofstorageunit(e.g.,coveredoruncoveredstorage,presenceorabsenceofcrust);animaldiets.

ParametersforestimationfromSommeretal.(2004).

Utilizesentityleveldietinformation.


Assumedtobe10percentoftheemissionsresultingfrommethodtoestimateemissionsfromLiquidManureStorageandTreatmentAnaerobicLagoon,RunoffHoldingPond,StorageTanks.

Configurationofstorageunit(e.g.,surfaceareaofmanure).


UsesU.S.specificemissionfactors.

LiquidManureStorageandTreatmentSand/ManureSeparation

NomethodprovidedasGHGemissionsarenegligible.However,resultingvolatilesolids,totalnitrogen,organicnitrogen,andmanuretemperatureoftheseparatedliquidmanureshouldbemeasuredandusedastheinputstoestimateemissionsofGHGsforsubsequentstorageandtreatmentoperations.

Notapplicable. Notapplicable. Notapplicable.

Executive Summary


Source MethodologyApproach PotentialManagementPractices SourceofEmissionFactors ImprovementsComparedtootherGHGMethodologiesLiquidManureStorageandTreatmentNutrientRemoval

NotestimatedduetolimitedquantitativeinformationonGHGsfromnitrogenremovalprocesses.


LiquidManureStorageandTreatmentSolid/LiquidSeparation

NomethodprovidedasGHGemissionsarenegligible.However,resultingvolatilesolids,totalnitrogen,organicnitrogen,andmanuretemperatureoftheseparatedliquidmanureshouldbemeasuredandusedastheinputstoestimateemissionsofGHGsforsubsequentstorageandtreatmentoperations.


LiquidManureStorageandTreatmentConstructedWetlands

GHGRemovals

CurrentlynomethodisprovidedalthoughGHGremovalsarenotedtolikelybegreaterthanCH4andN2Oemissionswhichareconsiderednegligible.


SolidManureStorageandTreatmentThermochemicalConversion

NotestimatedasCH4andN2Oemissionsconsiderednegligible. Notapplicable. Notapplicable. Notapplicable.

ManureApplicationSolidManureApplicationSystems(manurehandlingpriortolandapplication)

NotestimatedduetolimitedquantitativeinformationonGHGsfrommanuremixingandremovalfromstoragesystemsorduringtransporttofieldswheremanureislandapplied.


Executive Summary


Source MethodologyApproach PotentialManagementPractices SourceofEmissionFactors ImprovementsComparedtootherGHGMethodologiesLiquidManureApplicationSystems(manurehandlingpriortolandapplication)

NomethodisprovidedasCH4andN2OGHGemissionsarenegligible,however,CO2emissionswouldresultfromtheoperationofequipment.


Housing

ManureinHousingAreasPoultry

HOLOSIPCCTierIapproach. Manurehandlingaswetordry.U.S.basedemissionfactorsthatvarybyclimateandaredependentonwhethermanureismanagedasdrymanureorasaliquid(Littleetal.,2008).

Ofthemodelsevaluatedforpoultry,onlytheHOLOSmodelprovidedanestimateofconfidenceforoutput.Specifictoestimatesofpoultry,onmanureCH4emissions,theuncertaintywaslessthan20%.

ManurefromBarnFloorsandBeddedPacksDairyCattle

IntegratedFarmSystemsModelisusedtoestimateCH4emissions. Animaldiets.

UtilizesacombinationofempiricaldataandIPCCandU.S.EPAInventoryemissionfactors.

Utilizesentityleveldietandclimateinformation.

Forestry

ForestCarbon

Methodsinclude:(1)ForestVegetationSimulatormodelwithFireandFuelsExtensionmodule(FVSFFE)withJenkinsetal.(2003)allometricequations;and(2)defaultlookuptables.

FVSFFEmodelshundredsofmanagementpractices(thinningfrombelow/above/evenlythroughastand,thinningwithspeciespreference,conditionalthinning/planting/regeneration,pilingofsurfacefuelsandprescribedfires,salvageoperations,masticationtreatments,insect/diseasemanagement,etc.)

AllometricequationsarefromJenkinsetal.(2003);defaultlookuptablesfromSmithetal.(2006;greenbookGTRNE343).

Themethodallowslargelandownerstoestimatebaseyearcarbonstocksfromfieldsurveys,andrepeatthefieldsurveyatrecommendedintervals(e.g.,fiveyear,tenyear)dependingontheregion/foresttypegroup.SmalllandownersestimatecarbonstocksfromlookuptablesbasedonUSDAForestInventoryandAnalysis(FIA)programdata,whichiscomparabletootherGHGmethodologies(e.g.,1605(b)Guidance).

Executive Summary



Establishing,Reestablishing,andClearingForest

IPCCequationsdevelopedbyAaldeetal.(2006);withJenkinsetal.(2003)allometricequations.

Plantingtreesonpreviouslyunforestedlands;replantingtreesonpreviouslyforestedlands;andpermanentlyclearingtreesfromforestedlands.

AllometricequationsarefromJenkinsetal.(2003).

Thismethodallowslargelandownerstoestimatebaseyearcarbonstocksfromfieldsurveys,andrepeatthefieldsurveyatrecommendedintervals(e.g.,fiveyear,tenyear)dependingontheregion/foresttypegroup.TheNIRusesacarbonstockchangemethod,whichexplicitlyincludestheestablishment,reestablishment,andclearingofforests.

ForestManagement

Methodsinclude:(1)ForestVegetationSimulatormodelwithFireandFuelsExtensionmodule(FVSFFE)withJenkinsetal.(2003)allometricequations;(2)defaultlookuptablesofmanagementpracticescenarios.

Standdensitymanagement;Sitepreparationtechniques;Vegetationcontrol;Planting;Naturalregeneration;Fertilization;SelectionofRotationLength;HarvestingandUtilizationTechniques;Fireandfuelloadmanagement;Reducingriskofemissionsfrompestsanddisease;Shortrotationwoodycrops.

Defaultlookuptablesofcarbonstocksovertimebyregion,foresttypecategoriesincludingspeciesgroup(e.g.,hardwood,softwood,mixed);regeneration(e.g.,planted,naturallyregenerated);managementintensity(e.g.,low,moderate,high,veryhigh);siteproductivity(e.g.,low,high)tobedevelopedasasupportingproductusingFVS.

Thismethodprovidesaconsistentandcomparablesetofcarbonstocksforeachregion,foresttypegroup,managementintensity,andsiteproductivityovertimeundermanagementscenarioscommontotheforesttypesandmanagementintensities.

Executive Summary



HarvestedWoodProducts

U.S.specificharvestedwoodproductstablesdevelopedbySkog(2008)takingtheestimatedaverageamountofHWPcarbonfromthecurrentyearsharvestthatremainsstoredinendusesandlandfillsoverthenext100years.

Theapproachmodelsvariousmanagementpracticesincludingthe:dispositionofeachprimaryproduct(e.g.,lumber,structuralpanels)tomajorenduses(e.g.,percentageofproductgoingtoresidentialhousing,nonresidentialhousing,manufacturing(furniture)),andpercentagegoingtoexports;withdecayfunctionsindicatinghowquicklyproductsgooutofuseforeachenduse;fractionofmaterialgoingoutofusethatgoestolandfills;fractionofmaterialinlandfillsthatdoesnotdecay,andthedecayrateformaterialinlandfillsthatdoesdecay.

WOODCARBIImodelusedtoestimateannualchangeincarbonstoredinproductsandlandfills(Skog,2008).

Providesamethodthatissuitabletocounttheaverageamountofcarbonstoredinproductsinuseandinlandfills;andtheunderlyingmodelisthesameusedfortheNationalInventoryReport(NIR)(i.e.,TheNIRalsousesWOODCARBIImodeltoestimateannualchangeincarbonstoredinproductsandlandfills).TheHWPtables(Skog,2008)provideannualvaluesfor010yearsafterproductionandfiveyearintervalsfor10100yearsafterproduction.

UrbanForestry

Methodsinclude:(1)FieldDataMethodusingiTreeEco(formerlyUFORE)model;(2)AerialMethodusingiTreeCanopymodelwithaerialtreecoverestimatesandlookuptables.

Maintenance(useofvehicles,chainsaws,etc.)andAlteringBuildingEnergyUse(useoftreesforshadingandwindbreaks);quantitativemethodsforestimatingemissionsfromthesemanagementpracticesareincludedforinformationpurposesonly.

iTreeEcomodel;iTreeCanopymodel.

Thismethodprovidesarangeofoptionsdependentonthedataavailabilityoftheentities'urbanforestland.TheNIRusesequationsbasedonlookuptablesandaveragetreecanopyvalues.

EmissionsfromNaturalDisturbances

Methodsinclude:(1)FOFEMmodelenteringmeasuredbiomass;(2)FOFEMmodelusingdefaultvaluesgeneratedbyvegetationtype.

Fireandfuelloadmanagement. FOFEM(Reinhardtetal.,1997).

Thismethodprovidesarangeofoptionsdependentonthedataavailabilityoftheentities'disturbedforestland.TheuseofaU.S.specificfireandfuelloadmanagementmodelisanimprovementcomparedtotheNIRwhichusesequationsbasedonIPCC(2006).

Chapter 1: Introduction

August 2013 Draft Deliberative; Do not cite, quote, or distribute 1-1

RiceCultivation+Burning(CH4)2%

ManagedLivestockWaste

(CH4+N2O)12%GrazedLands

(CH4+N2O)13%EnergyUse(CO2)14%

CroplandSoils(N2O)31%

1. IntroductionIn2008,agriculturecontributed6.1percentofthetotalgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsintheUnitedStates(USDA,2011).1ThedistributionofemissionsacrosstheagriculturesectorisillustratedinFigure11.Inaddition,Forestrysequesteredenoughcarbontooffsetabout13percentoftotalU.S.GHGemissions(USDA,2011).Sincethelate1990s,theU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)hasanalyzedandreportedGHGemissionsandremovalsvianationalscaleinventories,andfieldscalemeasurementofthesefluxeshasbeendonefordecadesbyUSDAresearchers.USDAalsohasdonesignificantworkinthedevelopmentofGHGestimationmodelsandtoolswithintheagricultureandforestrysectors.ThisReportprovidesmethodsandascientificbasisforestimatingGHGemissionsandsequestrationatthelandowner,landmanagerscaleentityscale.TheReportwasauthoredbyrecognizedexpertsfromacrossUSDA,otherU.S.governmentagencies,andacademia,andreflectsestimationmethodsthatbalancescientificrigor,scale,practicality,andavailabilityofdata.ThischapterprovidesanoverviewoftheReportaswellastheobjectivessetoutfortheproject,andtheprocessusedindevelopingtheReport.Theremainderofthechapterisorganizedasfollows: OverviewoftheReport ReportObjectives ProcessfortheDevelopmentoftheMethods ContentsoftheReport UsesandLimitationsoftheReport Chapter1References

1.1 OverviewoftheReportUnderprovisionofSection2709oftheFood,Conservation,andEnergyActof2008,USDAhasbeendirectedtoestablishtechnicalguidelinesthatoutlinesciencebasedmethodstomeasuretheenvironmentalservicebenefitsfromconservationandlandmanagementactivitiesinordertofacilitatetheparticipationoffarmers,ranchers,andforestlandownersinemergingenvironmental1HeretheagriculturesectorincludesGHGemissionsandremovalsfrom:livestock,grasslands,croplands,andenergyuseonfarms;itdoesnotincludeGHGemissionsandremovalsfromindustrialprocesses(e.g.,fertilizerproduction)orfromofffarmenergyuse(e.g.,transportationfuelsusedinexportingcommoditycrops).

Source:USDA(2011).

Figure11:Agriculture SourcesofGreenhouseGasEmissionsin2008.

TotalEmissionsin2008=502TgCO2e

EntericFermentation(CH4)28%



servicesmarkets.ThelegislationfurtherstatesthattheinitialemphasisofthemethodsdevelopmentshouldfocusonGHGemissions.AgreementonthatsetofmethodsistheprimaryscopeandpurposeforthisReport.ThefindingsinthisreportprovidethefoundationforentityleveltoolstomeasuretheGHGbenefitsfromconservationandlandmanagementactivities.ThisReportandtheestimationmethodsarenotintendedasanadditiontoorreplacementofanycurrentFederalorStateGHGreportingsystemsorrequirements.ThisReporthasbeenpreparedtooutlinemethodstocalculatedirectGHGemissionsandcarbonsequestrationfromagricultureandforestryprocesses,andbuildsuponexistinginventoryeffortssuchasU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)andUSDAsnationalinventoriesandtheDepartmentofEnergysVoluntaryGreenhouseGasReportingProgram1605(b)Guidelines,withanaimofprovidingsimple,transparent,androbustinventoryandreportingmethods.TheReportprovidestechnicalmethodsforestimatingandreportingGHGsfromallsignificantagricultureandforestrysourcesandsinks.Thesemethodsaredesignedtoquantifyallsignificantemissionsandsinksassociatedwithspecificsourcecategoriesaswellasannualreductionsinthoseemissionsorfluxesincarbonstorageresultingfromlandusechangeandlandmanagementpracticesandtechnologies.Therefore,theReportwillsupportthedevelopmentofcomprehensiveentity,farm,orforestscaleGHGestimatesandinventories.Themethodsweredevelopedaccordingtoseveralcriteriainordertomaximizetheirusefulness.Inparticular,themethodsmust:

1. Standontheirown,independentofanyotheraccountingsystem,yetmaintainconsistencywithotheraccountingsystemstothemaximumextentpossible;

2. Bescalableforuseatentityscale2sitesacrosstheUnitedStates,withapplicabilityatcountyand/orstatelevelsaswell;

3. FacilitateusebyUSDAinassessingtheperformanceofconservationandrenewableenergyprograms;

4. ProvideabroadframeworktoassessmanagementpracticestoevaluatetheGHGaspectofproductionsustainability;

5. Maintainmaximumapplicabilityforuseinenvironmentalmarkets,includingpossiblefuturefederal,stateorlocalGHGoffsetsinitiatives;

6. BescientificallyvettedthroughUSDA,U.S.governmentandacademicexpertreviewandpubliccomment;

7. Providereliable,real,andverifiableestimatesofonsiteGHGemissions,carbonstorage,andcarbonsequestration.ThemethodswillbedesignedsothatovertimetheycanbeappliedtoquantifyonsiteGHGreductionsandincreasesincarbonstorageduetoconservationandlandmanagementactivities;and

8. Provideabasisforconsistencyinestimationandtransparencyinreporting.

2Anentityisthewholeorpartofanyagriculturalorforestrylandholding,landmanaging,oroperatingbusiness,institution,organization,group,cooperative,partnership,orindividualthat:isrecognizedasanentityunderanyU.S.Federal,State,orlocallawthatappliestoit;islocatedandoperates,atleastinpart,intheUnitedStates;andtheemissionsofsuchoperationsarereleased,atleastinpart,intheUnitedStates.



1.2 ReportObjectivesTheobjectiveforthisReportistocreateastandardsetofGHGestimationmethodsforusebyUSDA,landowners,andotherstakeholders,andtoserveasinputintothedevelopmentofUSDAestimationtools.ThemethodspresentedintheReportaddressGHGemissionsandcarbonremovalfortheentireentityoroperation,andalsoprovidetheopportunitytoassessindividualpracticesormanagementdecisions.

AcoobjectiveistoestablishconsensusonastandardizedsetofmethodsfortheDepartment,whichbecomethescientificbasisforentityscaleestimationoftheGHGimpactsoflandownermanagementdecisions.Therefore,scientificrigorandtransparencyarealsocritical.WhileUSDAhaslongbeeninvolvedindevelopmentofGHGinventoriesandestimationt

public review draft entity-scale quantification of ... review draft contract no. gs-23f-8182h august...

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