Cattle Manure Biochar Could Offset Earthworm Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Forest Soil

Mar 17, 2022

As two important greenhouse gases, about 20% and 62% of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions originate from the soil, especially agricultural and forest soils. Therefore, it is necessary to explore sustainable management strategy to decrease soil CO₂ and N₂O emissions.

Soil fauna, especially earthworms, may significantly influence soil biogeochemical processes and greenhouse gas emissions. In another aspect, raising beef cattle inevitably generates a large amount of cow manure, which, if not properly handled, will pollute surface water and groundwater, and generate large amounts of greenhouse gases during storage and processing. The conversion of cow manure into biochar by pyrolysis can be used to remove various pollutants and improve soil fertility. Soil amendment with cow manure biochar can significantly affect soil greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil quality.

The activities of earthworms were affected by the amount of biochar addition, which in turn affected soil CO₂ and N₂O emissions. Aporrectodea turgida is one of the most common earthworm species in North America. However, little information is available on the contribution of this earthworm and its interaction effect with biochar to CO₂ and N₂O fluxes in agricultural and forest soils.

Now, a research group from University of Alberta, Beijing Forestry University and Tsinghua University studied the effects of cow manure biochar and earthworms on soil CO₂ and N₂O emissions and soil physicochemical properties through the incubation experiment. The results were published in Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering.

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Video: Environmental Effects on Sow Fertility - Dr. Isabela Bez

In this special episode celebrating International Women's Day of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, we bring Dr. Isabela Bez, a veterinarian and PhD student in Brazil, who explains how temperature and light regimes influence sow reproductive performance. She discusses seasonal infertility, climate adaptation, and why environmental monitoring inside barns is critical for herd efficiency. The episode highlights practical management strategies to reduce reproductive losses and improve outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms. "Environmental factors are actually very important on sow reproduction, and sometimes these are the factors that producers tend to not pay attention." Meet the guest: Dr. Isabela Bez / isabela-cristina-cola%c3%a7o-bez-1753381b0 is a veterinarian and PhD student in Animal Science at Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Brazil. Her work focuses on swine reproduction, nutrition, and animal welfare, with strong expertise in environmental effects on sow performance. She collaborates with international farms and research groups to improve reproductive efficiency through applied science.