Novel Soil Management Practices - Key for Sustainable Bioeconomy and Climate Change Mitigation (SOMPA)
Public description of the results at the end of the project
SOMPA developed solutions to reduce emissions in Finnish forests and fields without sacrificing production. The solutions were found to be cost-effective and efficient, and can be implemented on large scales, thus aiding Finland in achieving its climate goals. Transitioning to continuous-cover forestry would achieve emission reductions in a significant portion of spruce mires, which are approaching final harvest age, and it would also reduce eutrophication of water bodies in the long term. Water management and controlled drainage in peatlands would also achieve significant emission reductions. Suitable targets for various measures were identified using spatial data. By directing the agricultural product range, additional emission reductions can be achieved, which could strengthen the economy of peatland areas. The results of SOMPA project have been used in the preparation of regulatory and guidance measures, as well as in the planning of forest management and cultivation activities.
Public description of the goals at the beginning of the project
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Finland has a target to reduce the emissions of the agriculture and other non-emission trading sectors by 39% compared to the 2005 levels. A fraction of the emission reductions may be compensated by forest carbon sinks. Currently, peat soils of croplands and forests are largest sources of GHG emissions on land-use sector in Finland. This project will develop ecologically and economically sustainable climate change mitigation methods for forest and cropland on peat soil. We will produce new scientific knowledge on drivers for the soil CH4 and CO2 emissions on peat soils and on cost-efficient and ecologically sustainable means to mitigate the emissions. We will provide methods that encourage land owners to apply the optimal mitigation measures in practice. The methods to be developed by this consortium will help Finland to reach the emission reduction targets.
