MONITORING AND REDUCING GREENHOUSE-GAS EMISSIONS FROM AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND OTHER HUMAN ACTIVITIES

Agriculture and forestry are significant sources and sinks of greenhou se gases. A holistic systems approach to estimating and reducing green house gas emissions from agricultural, forestry and other systems requ ires that the major inputs, components and outputs of the production s ystem are defined. Fluxes of greenhouse gases in natural systems may b e estimated by mathematical modelling of the major biological processe s and activities. Field and laboratory experiments and information fro m satellites provide the raw data on which such models are based. Such an approach can have a significant role in guiding key decision maker s and policy analysts. We conclude that management strategies that red uce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry are likely to be strategies that will also contribute to ecologically sustainable development.