BONES investigates how organic and inorganic fertilizers influence nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from boreal grassland soils. Nitrous oxide is one of the most potent agricultural greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential substantially higher than carbon dioxide. While organic fertilizers such as cattle manure play a key role in nutrient recycling and sustainable agriculture, their effects on N2O emissions remain poorly understood and highly variable.
The project combines advanced isotope techniques, microbial process studies, and continuous field measurements to identify the biological pathways responsible for N2O production under different fertilizer types and management practices. By linking fertilizer carbon characteristics with soil microbial activity and greenhouse gas emissions, BONES will provide new scientific understanding and practical tools for reducing agriculture's climate impact.