Our partner Open Universiteit had an impressive presence at the American Geophysical Union 2022 (AGU22) that was held on the 12th – 16th of December 2022, in Chicago.
Our colleague Borjana Bogatinoska with her presentation entitled “Evaluating Nature-based Solutions Aimed at Soil Carbon Sequestration Through Land Use Change” in the session ‘’Advances in Measuring Plant and Ecosystem Function: Toward Effective Climate Solutions II Oral’’ showcased in an elaborative manner the activities of the EIFFEL Pilot Water and Land-Use Management.
The interest, of more than 70 people from the scientific community namely universities but also other professionals that attended the conference, was mainly focused in the setup of the carbon model but also in its integration with the hydrology of the Aa of Weerijs catchment.
Last but not least a dedicated article (in Dutch) regarding EIFFEL’s participation in AGU22 was published in the Open Universiteit website.
In a nutshell (English translation):
Open University researcher gives presentations at earth science conference
From 12 to 16 December 2022, the AGU22 meeting will take place in Chicago. During this 'largest gathering of earth scientists', PhD student Borjana Bogatinoska will give two presentations on co-creation of nature-based solutions to climate problems. The first presentation will focus on co-creation and climate adaptation in water management, and the second on co-creation and increasing soil carbon storage and sequestration in the fight against global warming.
Water management in consultation with local people
Natural water storage such as wetlands or floodplains can be a weapon in the fight against floods and droughts. This benefits local residents, but also contributes to better water quality and creates new natural habitats. To bring about such solutions, water management professionals work in co-creation with local stakeholders.
Tool to reach decisions together
Bogatinoska will present the findings of the Co-Adapt project in Chicago. This European Interreg2Seas project identifies what challenges and obstacles emerge in this process of co-creation. The project relates those challenges and barriers to existing tools for designing natural solutions in complex decision-making processes. Bogatinoska and her colleagues developed a framework for knowledge exchange involving several such tools and activities. One example is the nominal group technique (NGT). This technique is normally used for structured decision-making in industry and academia. The Co-adapt project has developed the technique so that it can also be used for planning and decision-making in water management. Read more about her presentation.
Collaborative approach to increase soil storage of greenhouse gases
The second presentation is about co-creation of nature-based solutions to sequester more carbon in soil. Soil - alongside the ocean - is an important carbon storage site. Together, ocean and soil can absorb more than half of all emitted greenhouse gases. To naturally optimise soil carbon storage and sequestration, changes in soil management are needed. The most efficient way to achieve those soil management changes is through co-creation together with local stakeholders. A good ex-ante evaluation of the impact of different solutions can help make well-considered decisions.
Calculating carbon sequestration for different scenarios
In her second conference contribution, Bogatinoska presents the impact of two different land-use scenarios for an area on the Dutch-Belgian border: a scenario with soil management as it is today, and a scenario with co-designed natural adaptations. A mathematical model calculates soil carbon storage in both scenarios. That mathematical model combines different types of data about the area and also takes into account different climate change scenarios. The modelling approach presented by Bogatinoska is part of the multi-year European research project H2020 EIFFEL.
Fast facts:
AGU (American Geophysical Union) Fall Meeting is the most influential event in the world dedicated to the advancement of Earth and space sciences.
Every year, AGU Fall Meeting convenes >25,000 attendees from 100+ countries to share research and network. Researchers, scientists, educators, students, policymakers, enthusiasts, journalists and communicators attend AGU Fall Meeting to better understand our planet and environment, and our role in preserving its future. It is a results-oriented gathering rooted in celebrating and advancing positive individual and collective outcomes.
Find the full presentation here
