Challenges in Quantifying Biosphere-atmosphere Exchange of Nitrogen Species

Recent research in nitrogen exchange with the atmosphere has separated research communities according to N form. The integrated perspective needed to quantify the net effect of N on greenhouse-gas balance is being addressed by the NitroEurope Integrated Project (NEU). Recent advances have depended on improved methodologies, while ongoing challenges include gas-aerosol interactions, organic nitrogen and N2 fluxes. The NEU strategy applies a 3-tier Flux Network together with a Manipulation Network of global-change experiments, linked by common protocols to facilitate model application. Substantial progress has been made in modelling N fluxes, especially for N2O, NO and bi-directional NH3 exchange. Landscape analysis represents an emerging challenge to address the spatial interactions between farms, fields, ecosystems, catchments and air dispersion/deposition. European up-scaling of N fluxes is highly uncertain and a key priority is for better data on agricultural practices. Finally, attention is needed to develop N flux verification procedures to assess compliance with international protocols.

SUTTON M.A.;  NEMITZ E.;  ERISMAN J.W.;  BEIER C.;  BUTTERBACH BAHL K.;  CELLIER P.;  DE VRIES W.;  COTRUFO F.;  SKIBA U.;  DI MARCO C.;  JONES S.;  LAVILLE P.;  SOUSSANA J.F.;  LOUBET B.;  TWIGG M.;  FAMULARI D.;  WHITEHEAD J.;  GALLAGHER M.W.;  NEFTEL A.;  FLECHARD C.R.;  HERRMANN B.;  CALANCA P.L.;  SCHJOERRING J.K.;  DAEMMGEN U.;  HORVATH L.;  TANG Y.S.;  EMMETT B.A.;  TIETEMA A.;  PENUELAS J.;  KESIK M.;  BRUEGGEMANN N.;  PILEGAARD K.;  VESALA T.;  CAMPBELL C.L.;  OLESEN J.E.;  DRAGOSITS U.;  THEOBALD M.R.;  LEVY P.;  MOBBS D.C.;  MILNE R.;  VIOVY N.;  VUICHARD N.;  SMITH J.U.;  SMITH P.;  BERGAMASCHI Peter;  FOWLER D.;  REIS S.; 

2007-11-28

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

JRC41723

0269-7491,   

www.elsevier.com/locate/envpol,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC41723,   

10.1016/j.envpol.2007.04.014,