AGROFORESTRY
for greenhouse gas mitigation in Canada Tricia Pollock1*, Henry de Gooijer1, William Schroeder1, Lisa Zabek2, David Trotter2, Scott Chang3, Edward Bork3, Ken Van Rees4, Ryan Canart5, Andrew Gordon6, Naresh Thevathasan6, and Daniel Gagnon7
Correspondence Author:
[email protected]; 1Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Indian Head, Saskatchewan CANADA; 2British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture; 3University of Alberta; 4University of Saskatchewan;5Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District; 6University of Guelph; 7University of Regina
The Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP) is part of Canada’s contribution to the Global Research Alliance. It is a proposal-based federally-funded program running from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2015. Canada is focussing on four priority areas through this program, including agroforestry. The focus of the research is on discovery science and also the transfer of technology and best practices to local producers and farmers. The objective of the AGGP is to enhance the understanding and accessibility of agricultural technologies, beneficial management practices (BMPs) and processes that can be adopted by farmers to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Results will contribute to research efforts that can be shared with other countries to realize a more environmentally sustainable and food-secure world. Six projects were approved for total funding of $4.45 million within the priority area of agroforestry. These projects have a good mix of partners and supporters, both from Canada and abroad. The agroforestry projects are focusing on the development of beneficial management practices for Canada, particularly as they relate to shelterbelts, riparian buffers, alley cropping and silvopastoral systems. The intended outcome of these projects is to bring farmers, the agricultural community and academia together to work towards a common goal advancing research, technology transfer and the adoption of beneficial management practices to mitigate agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. The results of these projects will help to elevate Canada’s international reputation in agroforestry science and greenhouse gas mitigation.
Model field site near Kenton, Manitoba established to monitor changes to soil attributes and to track costs and benefits of shelterbelt establishment.
Aerial view of one of two silvopasture pilot sites in British Columbia, prior to planting and seeding. Capacity for carbon storage will be compared among silvopasture, conventional forest stands and forage sites.
Map of Canada
Hybrid poplar riparian buffers along each bank of an agricultural stream near Bromptonville, Quebec during their 6th growing season. The stream is shaded and this has favoured shade tolerant indigenous wetland plant species, but exotic shade intolerant ruderal species have decreased cover.
Open pasture and adjacent grazed forest (aspen dominated) in central Alberta..
PhD student Chukwudi Amadi taking gas samples in a shelterbelt to understand how shelterbelts may mitigate GHGs near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
British Columbia: Evaluating silvopasture systems for economic and environmental performance
and greenhouse gases mitigation potential
The Government of British Columbia is studying how the integration of trees, forages and livestock can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions while contributing to increased productivity. The project will examine how the practice of combining forestry with forage and livestock production in the southern interior of British Columbia will support greater biological and economic diversity and benefit the environment. Results of this project will generate new beneficial management practices that improve riparian stewardship, address impacts of livestock grazing on water quality and quantity, and mitigate greenhouse gases. P.I.s- Lisa Zabek and David Trotter Alberta: Quantifying carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in planted shelterbelts,
natural hedgerows and silvopastoral systems n different soil-climatic zones in Alberta
The University of Alberta is conducting a study on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reduction in different soil-climatic zones in various agroforestry systems. This study will provide a basis for quantifying the value of these systems for facilitating carbon storage and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Results of this research may lead to new diversified farm income and new employment opportunities through the development of bio-based products. These may include renewable bio-energy products and nutraceuticals. P.I.s – Scott Chang and Edward Bork Saskatchewan: Shelterbelts as an agroforestry management practice for the mitigation of GHGs The University of Saskatchewan is studying shelterbelts and other agroforestry plantings to see how effective they are in sequestering carbon and how they can better serve as carbon sinks. The project is exploring new shelterbelt designs and strategies to meet environmental and energy demands. Recent research suggests that this agroforestry practice may help farmers reduce their carbon footprint and improve animal health and soil protection. P.I. – Ken Van Rees
Destructive belowground root C qualification of a 23 year old poplar tree in a tree-based intercropping system in southern Ontario.
Manitoba: Demonstration and investigation into agroforestry based livestock systems adoption The Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District is studying how agroforestry systems can benefit farmers while mitigating environmental impacts. Agroforestry can help farmers reduce production costs and enhance yields while continuing to protect the environment. This project will evaluate various beneficial management practices on the farm to see if they can be easily adopted by the farming community. Results of this research can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, improve nutrient cycling and biodiversity, enhance energy savings and reduce impacts on riparian water zones and water quality. P.I. – Ryan Canart Ontario: Tree-Based Intercropping: An Agroforestry Land-Use for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in
Canadian Agricultural Systems
The University of Guelph is assessing how tree-based intercropping, a European agricultural practice that incorporates trees onto the farm, can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in tree biomass and agricultural soils. Tree-based intercropping has the potential to reduce significant amounts of carbon and nitrous oxide emissions without impacting farm income. Researchers hope that adopting tree-based intercropping into Canada will provide farmers with diversified farm income while improving environmental performance for their farms. P.I.s – Andrew Gordon and Naresh Thevathasan Quebec: Effects of hybrid poplar agroforestry systems on carbon sequestration in agricultural
landscapes of Eastern Canada
The Eastern Townships Forest Trust is studying the potential for riparian and upland agroforestry buffers to sequester carbon in agricultural landscapes in Eastern Quebec. Researchers hope to generate new data on greenhouse gas mitigation in hybrid poplar agroforestry systems that will increase the capacity of agricultural landscapes to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. P.I. – Daniel Gagnon
