Cows Get Blamed Again for Global Warming
Cause Winter Pastures to Emit Methane
Scientists from the center's Institute of Soil Ecology found that cows let out to pasture during the winter stay closer to the feed house. As a result, they roam over a smaller area of land than in the summertime, compacting the soil more heavily and spreading their manure more thickly over the ground. The combination of those two factors allow methane-producing microorganisms from the cows' digestive system to thrive in the soil, while also limiting processes that normally break down methane naturally.
The scientists conducted their study on a farm in Czechoslovakia, where about 90 cows were allowed into winter pastures between October and May.
"At the end of this season, we could clearly see the consequences of the overwintering, on the soil," said Michael Schloter, lead author of the study.
Grasslands not used for livestock naturally act as a sink for greenhouse gases, absorbing carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxides from the atmosphere. However, the German study indicates that allowing cows into pastures during the winter turns grasslands into active sources of methane. This unintended impact raises questions in part because the practice of allowing cows outdoors in winter is increasingly popular throughout central Europe, Schloter said.
Schloter's and his team's research found that intensively-grazed areas near the cowshed generated 1,000 more methane emissions than grasslands not frequented by cows. The researchers next plan to investigate whether overwintering of cattle outdoors causes a similar effect on the nitrogen cycle, as nitrogen oxides also act as greenhouse gases.
A study from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization last year blamed livestock for generating 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions; part of the emissions come directly from cows, or the waste they produce, while overgrazing and the clearing of forests for pasture also contribute by reducing the land's natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide. The organization said livestock's impact was of special concern because both meat and dairy production are growing so rapidly worldwide. Global meat production is expected to more than double between 1999-2001 to 2050, while milk production will almost double during that time period, the report said.
Institute of Soil Ecology, National Research Center for Environment and Health: "Heaps of Climate Gas: Pasturing Cows Convert Soil to a Source of Methane." URL: (http://www.gsf.de/neu/Aktuelles/Presse/2007/klimagase_en.php)
Published by Shirley Gregory
I earned a geology degree from Northwestern University, and have written for The Chicago Tribune, Daily Journal, internet.com, Web Hosting Magazine, and other magazines, newspapers and Internet publications.... View profile
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- National Research Center for Environment and Health at www.gsf.de
- Overwintering cows outdoors leads to more manure and more compact soil.
- Compact, manure-heavy soil allows microorganisms that emit methane to thrive.
- The researchers suspect overwintering practices might have the same impact on nitrogen oxides.
28 Comments
Post a CommentI've decided to band all the cows of the world together to meet for a summit on a summit in Sumterville. Cows and those who love their flesh... UNITE!
PS... Bring plenty of charcoal and A-1 Steak Sauce.
LEAVE THE POOR MOOEYS ALONE
What!? Cows are a natural part of this earth, you can't "blame" them! There are so many speculations as to what is causing global warming that I'm just about to give up on deciding what to believe. But I agree that this is just one of the earth's many cycles; however, being "green" is still important.
Jeff... you criticize others for being "uninformed", yet you call the Earth a "closed system"... oh the irony! Let me assure you that the Earth is most certainly NOT a closed system. Want one simple piece of evidence? Go outside tomorrow during the day and look up at that really bright, hot ball of plasma in the sky known as the "Sun". Feel the heat? That is energy entering from OUTSIDE the Earth and it's atmosphere... Of course, that's not the only element that makes it not a closed system, but it's the easiest to demonstrate.
Some pretty uniformed comments, that's for sure...here it is, folks..the earth and it's atmosphere are closed systems. Sure, with filters, purifiers, and the like. But in the final analysis, closed systems. And as such can be overwhelmed. It doesn't matter if it is a billion cows or a billion cars that do it. The bottom line is the problem is real, and needs to be addressed on multiple levels. That said, I intend to remain a meateater. But less. And I intend to make changes on many levels. And still live my life. That's what we all can do, people!
We are actually in a mini-age now or at least between them.
Nice story. I think we could all be better off if we ate just one less meaty meal a week. You can try an all veggie meal with some great homemade cornbread. It's just as filling as red meat and you'll feel better too.
DAMN COWS! I KNEW THEY WERE TO BLAME, THEY ARE EVIL!!! hAAHAHAAH GREAT ARTICLE.
Tiffany, LOL!!!!
Well for that matter, I blame MEN for the addition of methane into the environment... Dutch oven my A$$!