Greenhouse Gas Exchange from Agriculture in Italy

Abstract

Together with industry, transport and energy sectors, agriculture is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities. In particular, intensive breeding, fertilization and fuel combustion for traction are the most impactful factors in terms of global GHGs. Italy is not an exception, and due to the high variability of environmental and morphological conditions of the country, a wide range of agricultural systems is adopted with different GHG emissions’ potential. Italian agriculture accounts for 1.5% of total carbon dioxide (CO2), 60.6% of total methane (CH4), 68% of total nitrous oxide (N2O) and 94% of total ammonia (NH3) that is an indirect source of N2O as well as the main source of N-volatilization from agriculture. CO2 emissions are primarily produced from tractors on croplands, and based on technological level, there are no significant differences along the country. Because of the high concentration of paddy fields and intense breeding, the northern part of Italy is responsible for the majority of CH4 and N2O (and NH3) production. Paddy lands are, in fact, the main sources of CH4 emissions that are produced by flooded fields from anaerobic micro-organisms. In Italy, paddy lands cover more than 200,000 ha (51% of total EU paddy lands) following the course of Po River. However, N-based emissions are mainly produced by intense breeding, in particular through enteric fermentation and manure storage and spreading. Italian agriculture accounts for more than 138,000 cattle farms (6 million cattle) and 145,000 pig farms (8.7 million pigs) that are principally located in the central-northern part of the country. In addition, the intensive use of fertilizers contributes to N-based emissions through nitrification/denitrification and N-volatilization processes into the soil.