Background Knowledge of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) for Farms & Forests
Introduction to Farm & Forest Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Opportunities
- Introduces the basic strategies for climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation as it relates to select farm and forest practices.
- Linking Carbon Science with Public Policy and Resource Management in the Northeastern United States
Soil Health Policy Brief (as it relates to climate change)
For Farms
Nitrogen Fertilizer Management & Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Opportunities
- Reviews methods of nitrogen management to reduce water pollution, GHG emissions and reduce cost for synthetic N-purchase by paying close attention to N-resources in various sources across the farm.
Dairy Manure Storage & Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Opportunities
- Reviews key considerations for managing the GHG from different manure management systems. Discusses aerobic (high oxygen) versus anaerobic (low oxygen) manure management impacts on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.
Planning for Quantitative Methane Capture & Destruction from Liquid Dairy Manure Storage
- Details considerations for different options that destroy manure methane on dairy farms, including methane capture and flare with a cover, and Anaerobic Digestor Systems (ADS) that use the methane to produce heat or electricity on farm.
Soil Carbon Management & Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Opportunities
- Reviews different ways farms can increase soil carbon, which improves soil health, crop productivity, water infiltration and retention, and can also sequester carbon in soil. Topics include tillage practices, soil amendments, and annual versus perennial crop options for maximizing soil carbon storage.
Soil Health and Greenhouse Gases Fact Sheet
- This is a 2-page overview for considering how Soil Health relates to climate change mitigation.
Soil Health & GHG In Depth Information Sheet
- This is a 14-page in-depth discussion of how Soil Health relates to climate change mitigation.
For Forests
Forest Management & Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
- Reviews forest management as an under-appreciated method for providing meaningful carbon sequestration with added benefit of carbon stored in long-lived wood products (building materials) after it leaves the forest. That is, by producing timber, carbon may now be stored long-term in building, furniture and other long-lived products. Also covers bioenergy and the benefits of replacing high GHG-emitting concrete and steel with wood products.
Energy
Energy Efficiency & Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Opportunities (by Deb Grantham)
- Reviews how energy conservation and efficiency can lead to financial savings while also reducing GHG associated with energy consumption, for example, by improving lights to reduce electric bill or implementing cost-effective ventilation in dairy barns for increased milk productivity in hot summer months.
Glossary
Glossary of farm & forest GHG-related terms
- Select words and their definitions relating to climate change, mitigation, and adaptation
Decision-Tree Worksheets
2018. AEM Tier II worksheets for assessing Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Opportunities on Farm and Forestlands.
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These AEM Tier 2 GHG Mitigation Opportunity Worksheets are designed to be used in concert with the other relevant Tier 2 Assessment Worksheets (www.agriculture.ny.gov/SoilWater/aem/techtools.html) for educators and farmers to gauge management and encourage discussion across a range of resources, including water quality, GHGs, farm productivity, and adaptation.
Please visit our Publications for more in depth exploration and discussion of these topics.
Links to Other Resources