Epagri research evaluates greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural systems in the Northern Plateau of SC

The emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) is one of those responsible for global warming. Agriculture accounts for around 12% of emissions of these gases in the world. It is estimated that in Brazil approximately 28,5% of total emissions come from agriculture, especially methane which, together with carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, are the main causes of the greenhouse effect.  

Concerned about this, Epagri is developing a project to evaluate carbon emissions and sequestration in animal production systems based on perennial pastures in the North Plateau of Santa Catarina.

“The final intention is to contribute to the generation of management strategies for pasture-based livestock farming, which lead to the mitigation of emissions and, if possible, even a neutral carbon balance, associating the image of livestock farming in Santa Catarina with an environment of productivity. , quality and sustainability”, explains Ana Lúcia Hanisch, researcher at the Epagri Experimental Station in Canoinhas and project leader.

The project began in October 2022 and continues until July 2025. At the end of this period, GHG mitigation indicators will be generated via carbon sequestration in two integrated agricultural production systems (SIPAs): improved caivas and a silvopastoral system with eucalyptus.

Integrated systems

“SIPAs are production systems that, at different times, integrate more than one agricultural or livestock activity in the same area”, explains Ana Lúcia. It features the use of the same area for growing soybeans in the summer and growing oats for cattle grazing in the winter, for example. SIPA can also use two or more productive activities at the same time, such as growing soybeans between the rows of a eucalyptus plantation.

Among the SIPAs are silvopastoral systems (SSP) that involve, simultaneously, an arboreal component and a pasture-fed animal component. Among the different SSP, there are caivas in Santa Catarina and part of the Center-South of Paraná. These are systems where native trees coexist, in the same area and at the same time, such as pine, yerba mate, cinnamon or imbuias, and cattle, which use the area to graze the native grass that grows beneath the trees. “What Epagri has done in the last 15 years is to improve the native pasture that existed in the caivas. Using improved pastures, such as giant missioneira, tifton, hemarthria, it has been possible to place more cattle in the same area, optimizing this SSP”, reports the researcher.

Systems such as improved felling can be very important in GHG mitigation and carbon sequestration, because, in addition to pasture, which has great potential for sequestration, it is possible to rely on the carbon sequestered in tree growth. Therefore, on one of the research fronts, Epagri will evaluate the aerial biomass in Caiva improved with a giant missionary, using images generated via a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor coupled to a drone that was acquired with funding from the CNPq and Epagri . “Equipment with a LiDAR system uses laser pulses, which are emitted and received, and can generate a three-dimensional point cloud of the target objects”, describes Cristina Pandolfo, researcher at Epagri/Ciram and responsible for this project goal.

The first image collections with the LiDAR sensor were carried out in November. The images from the field will be systematized and processed with the purpose of obtaining data to quantify the biomass of trees in the experiment areas.

Biomass

“Biomass is the accumulated amount of plant growth over a given period of time. It could be the growth of green pasture or the increase in the trunk of a tree”, explains Ana Lúcia. By evaluating carbon emissions and sequestration in agricultural systems existing in the Northern Plateau of Santa Catarina, the research aims to generate information that contributes to the adoption by producers in the State of integrated production systems using the arboreal component, such as SSP and improved caivas . In addition to adopting more sustainable production systems, these farmers will also have the necessary information to access any Payment for Environmental Services (PSA) programs that may be established.

PSAs remunerate people or institutions that propose to adopt recommended measures to preserve natural resources. “The PSA proposal is a very important tool for environmental preservation and conservation, especially in water recharge areas and in the maintenance of native tree vegetation on rural properties”, defines Ana Lúcia.

She highlights that, currently, PES proposals occur in some isolated locations, most of the time on the initiative of city hall, public institution or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). “I believe that the new Ministry of the Environment will prioritize the advancement of this proposal and, if this happens, I believe that properties that have preserved native trees in their fallow areas should be prioritized to receive PSA”, says the researcher.

Team

In addition to Ana Lúcia Hanisch and Cristina Pandolfo, the project has the participation of Gilcimar Adriano Vogt, Marlise Nara Ciotta, Tiago Celso Baldissera, Marlon Dutra and Juliano de Oliveira, all Epagri professionals. The research has a total budget of R$31.870,00, which is financed by Epagri and applied to maintaining field activities, carrying out analyzes and publications. The cost of salaries and charges for researchers is not included in this value.

This research is under the umbrella of the state project Zero Carbon Conscientious Livestock, developed by Epagri with the aim of reducing GHG emissions from cattle production and coordinated by Tiago Baldissera, researcher at the Epagri Experimental Station in Lages.