Development of methane emission factors for enteric fermentation in cattle from Benin using IPCC Tier 2 methodology.
The objective of this study was to develop emission factors (EF) for methane (CH4) emissions from enteric fermentation in cattle native to Benin. Information on livestock characteristics and diet practices specific to the Benin cattle population were gathered from a variety of sources and used to estimate EF according to Tier 2 methodology of the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Most cattle from Benin are Bos taurus represented by Borgou, Somba and Lagune breeds. They are mainly multi-purpose, being used for production of meat, milk, hides and draft power and grazed in open pastures and crop lands comprising tropical forages and crops. Estimated enteric CH4 EFs varied among cattle breeds and subcategory owing to differences in proportions of gross energy intake expended to meet maintenance, production and activity. EFs ranged from 15.0 to 43.6, 16.9 to 46.3 and 24.7 to 64.9 kg CH4/head per year for subcategories of Lagune, Somba and Borgou cattle, respectively. Average EFs for cattle breeds were 24.8, 29.5 and 40.2 kg CH4/head per year for Lagune, Somba and Borgou cattle, respectively. The national EF for cattle from Benin was 39.5 kg CH4/head per year. This estimated EF was 27.4% higher than the default EF suggested by IPCC for African cattle with the exception of dairy cattle. The outcome of the study underscores the importance of obtaining country-specific EF to estimate global enteric CH4 emissions.
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technique,University of Abomey-Calavi,P.O. Box 526,Cotonou,Republic of Benin.
J B
JB
Kouazounde
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technique,University of Abomey-Calavi,P.O. Box 526,Cotonou,Republic of Benin.
J D
JD
Gbenou
2Department of Animal Production, Faculty of the Agronomic Science,University of Abomey-Calavi,P.O. Box 526,Cotonou,Japan.
S
S
Babatounde
3Technical Support Unit,IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Program,C/0 I.G.E.S.,2108-11,Kamiyamaguchi,Hayama,Kanagawa 240-0115,Republic of Benin.
N
N
Srivastava
3Technical Support Unit,IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Program,C/0 I.G.E.S.,2108-11,Kamiyamaguchi,Hayama,Kanagawa 240-0115,Republic of Benin.
S H
SH
Eggleston
4Department of Animal Science,College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Kwame Nkrumah,University of Science and Technology Kumasi,Ghana.
C
C
Antwi
5Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,Lethbridge Research Centre P.O. Box 3000,Lethbridge,AB,Canada T1J 4B1.
J
J
Baah
5Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,Lethbridge Research Centre P.O. Box 3000,Lethbridge,AB,Canada T1J 4B1.
T A
TA
McAllister
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D001541:Benin; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D057231:Climate Change; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004063:Digestion / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D013045:Species Specificity; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology
D000393:Air Pollutants; D008697:Methane
Africa