The Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change Group measures, models and mitigates greenhouse gas (N2O, CO2 and CH4) emissions from diverse agricultural systems.
We quantify the emissions of direct and indirect greenhouse gases from various agricultural systems, including dairy pasture, grain cropping, vegetable production and intensive feedlot systems, as well as ammonia deposition surrounding intensive feedlots. We apply advanced micrometeorological techniques using open- and closed- path Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, open-path lasers, quantum cascade lasers etc. for field (paddock) scale measurements. We have developed an internationally acclaimed, spatially-referenced and process-based water and nitrogen management model (WNMM) for broadacre and intensive agricultural systems, and a Decision Support System for optimum irrigation and fertiliser N application. We also examine the effectiveness of urease and nitrification inhibitors, and controlled release fertilisers in decreasing NH3 and N2O emissions from crop and pasture systems, whereas lignite and modified black coal in minimising NH3 emission from intensive animal production systems.