Register to receive our IPNOA Project Newsletter

Preparatory Actions

The project will be carried out through two preparatory actions, comprising a market research for the selection of two N2O analyzers and other materials needed for the realization of the two prototypes.

A.1 Activation of the Project Management Team
A.2 Market research and selection of instruments and materials

 

Implementation Actions

Seven implementation actions are foreseen.

The first three implementation actions are aimed at the realization of two prototypes for measuring N2O fluxes, one portable for evaluating spatial variability, the other to be used in a fixed location (station prototype) for investigating temporal changes. After testing the performance of both prototypes in the West Systems laboratory, they will be validated against other instruments and methodologies to test their robustness, sensitivity, and operational capabilities at the laboratories and field site of INRA in France.

The other four implementation actions are focused on the application of the two prototypes in the agricultural Tuscan framework. After the identification of the main cropping systems in Tuscany and their effects of N2O emissions, a series of field trials will be set up in the Interdipartimental Centre for Agro-Ecological Research E. Avanzi (CIRAA), located on the northern coast of Tuscany, near Pisa, and the Cesa Research Centre for Agricultural Technologies and Extension Services in the Province of Arezzo (CATES). They are representative of different pedological and climatic characteristics as well as crop management. A monitoring period of two years will be carried out on these field trials using both prototypes, in order to obtain a comprehensive set of N2O flux data and ancillary parameters. These outcomes will be used to draw up a Best Practice Manual including short- to long-term best practice/effective actions for governmental authorities and stakeholders (both at local and regional scale) in order to favor the reduction of N2O emission from agriculture.

The guidelines contained in the Best Practice Manual will be formulated following a participatory approach together with stakeholders and will be integrated in the regional planning tools, trying to answer the following questions: How to manage cropping systems in order to reduce N2O emissions? Which actions should be implemented both on short- and long-term periods?

  B.1 Definition of the technical specifications and implementation of the two prototipe
  B.2 Test of performance of the two prototypes
  B.3 Cross-validation of the two prototypes
  B.4 Inventory for identification of the main cropping systems and their effects on N2O emissions
  B.5 Field trial set-up and management
  B.6 Field monitoring of N2O by means of the two prototypes
  B.7 Best Practice Manual to mitigate N2O emissions from arable lands

 

Monitoring of the impact of the project actions

Four actions will be performed to monitor the impact of the project on the environmental target, related both to the use of the two prototypes and to the Best Practices Manual adoption at regional scale.

  C.1 Impact of the two prototypes on the production of N2O flux data
  C.2 Territorial analysis of N2O mitigation scenarios in Tuscany agriculture
  C.3 Socio-economic effects of the IPNOA project
  C.4 Monitoring the adoption of the Best Practice Manual

 

  

Communication and Dissemination Actions

Seven communication and dissemination actions will be implemented for publishing the results of the project, also comprising specific reports, one for policy makers and another for technicians involved in environmental monitoring activities, who will be trained through suitable on-the-job courses. Workshops and meetings are also foreseen to disseminate the outcomes of the project at different levels and to increase the public awareness on the need to reduce the N2O output from agriculture and consequently to mitigate the related climate change impact. Dissemination activities will be realised by website implementation, information boards, and Layman's report, as well as organisation of national workshops, articles in the local press, radio and web interviews, advertising materials, meetings with primary to high school students.

  D.1 Project website
  D.2 Life+ Information boards
  D.3 Layman's Report
  D.4 Technical Report and training
  D.5 Report for policy makers
  D.6 Workshops, annual and final meeting, etc.
  D.7 After LIFE+ Communication Plan

 

 
Project Management and monitoring of the project Progress
  E.1 Project coordination
  E.2 Monitoring of activity progress
  E.3 Networking with other Life projects. Communication with the European Commission
  E.4 Project reporting

ENV/IT/000302
Improved flux Prototypes
for N2O emission from Agriculture

West Systems Srl (Coordinating Beneficiary)
Via Don Mazzolari 25, IT56025 Pontedera (PI)
Ph.: +39 0587 483335 - Fax: +39 0587 2960668

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Copyright © 2013 West Systems Srl