Translate 
Abstract
Climate change is a global concern due to its wide implications in several economical, social and biological aspects. During the last two decades, important efforts are being put into practice in order to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from several economical sectors whose activities are exacerbating global warming. According to the last 5th Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Agriculture is one of the main sectors responsible for the change in atmospheric GHG concentration that has occurred in the last 30 years (IPCC 2014). The agricultural sector is a main emitter of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), two main GHGs. Agricultural soils emit significant amounts of N2O due to the application of mineral fertilizers and organic manures. At the same time, changes in land use affect soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks whilst enteric fermentation from livestock has been identified as one of the main global sources of CH4 (Paustian et al. 2006). Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) was responsible for 23 % of the total GHG emissions emitted in 2010 (IPCC 2014). However, the AFOLU sector can also serve as a sink for GHG resulting from other sectors. In particular, carbon (C) accumulated in soils and in plant biomass can remove significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere (Conant 2011). Spain has the fourth highest land area assigned to agriculture of the European Union (EU) countries. At the same time, livestock production is important particularly pig (Sus scrofa), sheep (Ovis aries) and poultry (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/agriculture/ Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change DOI 10.1007/s11027-014-9596-x
Submitted Version (
Free)
Published Version
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
