ABSTRACT
Farms are intensively managed, complex systems. Finding ways to reduce harmful emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2, N2O, and CH4) relies on an integrated understanding of coupled ecosystem processes and farm operations. Model-based estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for farms are quantified under a selected set of crop and livestock production scenarios. Emission equations are adapted to Canadian farm activities and conditions based on the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimation methodology and are linked to dynamic ecosystem carbon and nitrogen flows under mass-balance constraints. The design and application of a dynamic agroecosystem model, integrated within a statistical framework (i.e., mass-balance optimization, calibration, scaling, and sensitivity analysis) is demonstrated. This approach can provide more robust estimates of GHG reduction potentials for assessing mitigation and adaptation management strategies, especially for dynamic, farm-scale emissions.
