Large-scale model ‘MITERRA-Europe’

Rationale of use

MITERRA-Europe is a model used to assess the effects and interactions of agricultural policies and measures on nitrogen (N) losses. It is a deterministic model that calculates the annual emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, and N2O) and nitrogen compounds (N2O, NH3, NOx, and NO3), as well as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) flows, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes, and soil erosion.

Functioning

The tool consists of an input module with activity data and emission factors, a set of (packages of) measures to mitigate NH3 emission and N leaching, a calculation module, and an output module. The data-base of MITERRA-EUROPE is on regional (NUTS 2) level and includes data of N inputs, N outputs, N surplus, land use, crop types, soil type, topography, livestock numbers etc., and emission factors for NH3, N2O, NOX and CH4, and leaching factors for N. The starting point for MITERRA-EUROPE are the existing models CAPRI, RAINS, MITERRA-NL and INITIATOR, supplemented with existing data bases (FAO, Eurostat), soil data (CAPRI Dynaspat) and expertise about emission processes. MITERRA-Europe is programmed in the language GAMS.

Types of outputs

The tool outputs include greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O), nitrogen emissions (N2O, NH3, NOx, NO3), nutrient flows (nitrogen and phosphorus), soil organic carbon stock changes, soil erosion rates, land use and crop coverage changes, and water use for irrigation. These results are used to evaluate the environmental effects of agricultural policies.

Relevant CAP objective

All

Sources

https://edepot.wur.nl/30636