A new study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology highlights the progress of the notoriously water-consumptive almond industry in becoming carbon-emission neutral or even carbon negative. The research, undertaken by UC Davis scientists, highlights the carbon capture potential of almond orchards and concludes that reusing byproducts from almond production and harvest is critical to the industry’s environmental impact and emissions reduction.
The scientists recorded the ‘typical’ emissions produced over an almond orchard’s lifespan by modeling almond production at the orchard scale over 25 years.
"Almond orchards capture and store a significant amount of carbon both above and below the surface over their 25-year lifecycle, said study co-author Dr. Alissa Kendall, associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “This carbon storage provides a climate benefit not considered in conventional carbon footprints.”
The authors’ research also yielded insight on best management practices to reduce orchards’ environmental impacts. “We have identified several key areas where changes in orchard management, technology and policy have helped the California almond industry reduce greenhouse gas emissions in recent years,” said co-author Elias Marvinney, a doctoral candidate at UC Davis.
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Research from the California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP) shows that 74 percent of surveyed almond orchards already use orchard prunings (tree wood, bark, clippings and other materials) for in-orchard chipping, composting, or energy generation.
Other byproducts of almond production include the nuts' shells and their hulls, which can be used as livestock bedding and as alternative energy in co-generation plants, and as livestock feed.
The study also suggests the important of irrigation management in controlling emissions and energy use. "Irrigation practices are central to the success of California's almond growers," said Dr. Gabriele Ludwig, the Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs at the Almond Board of California, a partial funder of the research.
Ludwig noted that according to CASP, 83 percent of California almond growers practice demand-based irrigation and over 70 percent of almond orchards are using efficient micro-irrigation systems to conserve water.
"Through the California Almond Sustainability Program, the almond industry helps the almond community identify best practices in terms of environmental and economic impact and works to incentivize and maximize reuse of all co-products in the production process,” Ludwig said. “The comprehensive nature of this new research provides a solid foundation for our ongoing work in this area.”
Richard Waycott, CEO of the Almond Board of California, echoed Ludwig’s support of research about adaptive farming practices in a resource-constrained world.
"This critical research further reinforces the importance of our longstanding commitment to independent, third-party analysis of next-generation farming practices," he said. "Our ongoing research programs help drive development of innovative production solutions that lead to continued improvement in efficient and sustainable, environmentally responsible farming."
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Published Jul 28, 2015 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT / 9pm BST / 10pm CEST