Mapanda, P and Wuta, M and Nyamangara, J and Rees, R M and Kitzler, B (2012) Greenhouse gas emissions from Savanna (Miombo) woodlands: responses to clearing and cropping. African Crop Science Journal, 20 (s2). pp. 385-400. ISSN 1021-9730
|
PDF
- Published Version
Download (148kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Natural vegetation represents an important sink for greenhouse gases (GHGs); however, there is relatively little information available on emissions from southern African savannas. The effects of clearing savanna woodlands for crop production on soil fluxes of N2O, CO2 and CH4 were studied on clay (Chromic luvisol) and loamy sand (Ferric acrisol) soils in Zimbabwe. Maize (Zea mays L.) was the test crop. Gas samples were measured from undisturbed, cleared and cultivated woodlands using the static chamber methodology involving gas chromatography for ample air analysis. Site and climatic variables were particularly important determinants of GHG emissions. Over an average of 154 days emissions of 0.8 – 2.5 kg N2O-N ha-1, 1146 – 2847 kg CO2-C ha-1 and 7.4 – 38.5 kg CH4-C ha-1 were estimated during a season that followed a relatively drier one. Fertiliser-N significantly increased GHG emissions on cropped plots (clay soil). The undisturbed woodland with a relatively higher tree density (loamy sand) was an important GHG source. The high CH4 fluxes from woodlands provide ground based validation of satellite observations of CH4 hotspots in sub-Saharan Africa, and have considerable implications on regional GHG balance.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | UNSPECIFIED |
| CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Agro Tags: | Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, Zimbabwe |
| Subjects: | Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics Others > Climate Change |
| Depositing User: | Mr Sanat Kumar Behera |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Feb 2013 06:30 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Feb 2013 06:30 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/6526 |
| Official URL: | http://www.ajol.info/index.php/acsj/article/view/8... |
| Projects: | NitroEurope Project |
| Funders: | European Union, National Science Foundation (NSF), USA |
| Acknowledgement: | This study was co-sponsored through grants from the European Union (NitroEurope Project No. 017841) and the US National Science Foundation (START/PACOM). |
| Links: |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
Altmetric
Altmetric