Identifying Greenhouse Gas Emission Sources and Mitigation Opportunities in California Specialty Cropping Systems

Xia Zhu-Barker, Mary Carlson, Mark Easter, Amy Swan, Lucas Thompson, William R. Horwath, Keith Paustian and Kerri L. Steenwerth

No 393783, USDA Miscellaneous from United States Department of Agriculture

Abstract: Here, we present a synthesis of research on agricultural practices in the state’s specialty crop systems and their capacity to mitigate impacts of climate change, namely by reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in soil organic matter storage. Woody perennial crops and cool-season and warm-season crops are examined, including grapes, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, stonefruit, citrus, tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. We also present the development and improvements in specialty crops within DayCent, the biogeochemical model that underpins the USDA-NRCS tool COMET-Farm. COMET-Farm is a farm-level accounting tool for assessing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that can be gained by employing certain conservation practices. Empirically derived emissions factors for nitrous oxide emissions from tomatoes, wine grapes, almonds and vegetables are also presented to calculate potential greenhouse gas emissions associated with each agricultural practice across their acreage in the state.

Keywords: Climate Change; Crop Production/Industries; Environmental Economics and Policy; Farm Management; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies; Resource/Energy Economics and Policy; Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 127
Date: 2018-06
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:usdami:393783

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.393783

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