2020 CLIFF-GRADS Science Collaboration Webinar Series

Science Collaboration Series

The 2020 CLIFF-GRADS Science Collaboration Series was developed to facilitate technical capability building, knowledge transfer and international collaboration for the CLIFF-GRADS Alumni. Particularly for the Round 3 CLIFF-GRADS whose research stays have been delayed due to the global Covid-19 Pandemic.

In addition to a series of special sessions with guest speakers, these webinars provide a platform for the Round 3 students to present their PhD research and research questions to their CLIFF-GRADS peers. Through establishing research connections, the CLIFF- GRADS Alumni network can connect internationally and across research institutes.

The initial presentation of the Welcome Session provided new Alumni with the CLIFF-GRADS Program background and history. A panel of previous Alumni shared their experiences and answered questions. New CLIFF-GRADS heard from alumni about how to make the most of their CLIFF-GRADS experience and the support systems available to them.

Thematic Sessions

Specifically, during a series of thematic sessions, the Round 3 students will have the opportunity to clarify their PhD research questions and/or research direction with their peers. The thematic sessions have been disaggregated into the following agricultural systems: i) integrated, ii) pastoral and agronomy, iii) ruminant, iv) rice and v) soil.

Special Sessions

A series of special sessions has been developed to facilitate knowledge sharing from senior researchers to CLIFF-GRADS Alumni, with emphasis on the science policy interface for agricultural greenhouse gas emission management. Session topics include: i) the role of science in decision making, ii) national GHG inventories, iii) livestock MRV, iv) global agricultural production and emission trends, and v) farmer perspectives from the WFO young farmers Gymnasium program.

Series recordings and speakers

Welcome to CLIFF-GRADS | 12 August 2020

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Introduction to the GRA, CCAFS, Paris Agreement, and CLIFF-GRADS Program

Hayden Montgomery, Special Representative to the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA)

Previous Alumni Panel

Florencia Garcia, Argentina (Round 1),

Titis Apdini, Indonesia (Round 2),

Yuri Gelsleichter, Brazil (Round 2),

Samuel Anuga, Ghana (Round 2)

Making the most out of your CLIFF-GRADS experience

Hazelle Tomlin, Secretariat, GRA

Useful CCAFS and GRA resources

Ciniro Costa Junior, CCAFS


Special Session: The Role of Science in Decision Making | 19 August

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Sir Peter is chair of the International Network of Government Science Advice (INGSA) and president-elect of the International Science Council (ISC). From 2009–2018 he was the first Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

He has written and spoken extensively on science-policy, science- diplomacy, and science-society interactions.

He has received the highest scientific and civilian honors in New Zealand and numerous international scientific awards.

Sir Peter Gluckman, Chair of the International Network of Government Science Advice (INGSA) and president-elect of the International Science Council (ISC)


Thematic Student Session: Integrated Systems | 25 August

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Todd investigates how smallholder agriculture affects the environment and society. In particular, Dr. Rosenstock’s research examines the synergies and trade-offs among food production, soil degradation, and climate at farm and landscape scales.

Dr. Todd Rosenstock, Climate Change and Environmental Scientist, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Implementing sustainable agricultural and livestock systems for simultaneous targeting of forest conservation for climate change mitigation (REDD+) and peace-building in Colombia

Mary Eyeniyeh Ngaiwi, Cameroon

Integration of trees into farming systems to increase yield, resilience and carbon stocks

Abdulhakeem Lawal Ahmad, Nigeria

Greenhouse gases emission from crops fertilized with dairy manure in Argentina

Fernanda Leite, Brazil

Evaluating enteric methane and excreta based nitrous oxide emissions associated with tropical forage legumes

Sara Stephanie Valencia Salazar, Colombia


Special Session: National GHG Inventories | 2 September

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Olia has expertise in natural science, education, greenhouse gas reporting and review under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, and designing GHG data management systems.

Previous to GHGMI, Olia was New Zealand’s GHG inventory focal point at the UNFCCC and led New Zealand’s National Greenhouse Gas Program as well as being New Zealand’s national inventory compiler. In this capacity, she also led a project to include Tokelau in New Zealand’s national system.

Dr. Olia Glade, Director MRV Systems, Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI)


Thematic Student Session: Pasture Systems & Agronomy | 8 September

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Based in Cali, Colombia, Jacobo’s research focuses on how forages and efficient land use in the livestock sector can reduce nitrogen and carbon emissions.
He co-leads the Livestock Plus project, supported by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). The project facilitates the development and implementation
of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in Costa Rica and Colombia.

Dr. Jacobo Arango, Environmental Biologist at the Tropical Forages Program at the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)

Evaluating environmental impacts of the beef cow-calf system by the life cycle assessment method in Thailand

Gbênouwa Pénéloppe Thertulienne Gnavo

 

Adding value to rumen methane mitigation compounds through increasing animal efficiency

Vanina (Vani) Giselle Maguire

 

Influence of forage legumes and nitrogen fertilizer on N2O emissions in grazed tropical pastures

Shimbahri Mesfin Gebreslase

 

Legumes use in grassland systems of the Argentinean Pampas region: soil quality and greenhouse gas emissions

Israel Oliveira Ramalho

 

Quantification of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from beef, milk and crop- pasture rotational production systems in Uruguay

Fabiano Alecrim

 


Special Session: Livestock MRV | 16 September

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Andreas has training in anthropology and economics, and has worked in natural resources management in Asia and Africa for more than 20 years, with a focus on rangeland management and livestock. Since 2008, much of his work has focused on climate change mitigation, including developing GHG quantification methodologies for mitigation projects, and supporting improvements in national GHG inventories and MRV systems. He has been an associate expert with Unique forestry and land use GmbH since 2011.

Dr. Andreas Wilkes, Associate Expert, UNIQUE Forestry and Land Use GmbH


Thematic Student Session: Ruminant Systems | 23 September

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Sinead is an experienced microbiologist and her research has focused on increasing the science needed to develop practical and effective approaches to reducing methane emissions from grazing ruminant livestock.

More recently, Sinead’s work has centered around the development of practical guidance for the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of emissions and emissions reductions from ruminant livestock and engaging and working with scientists and policymakers from countries who are looking to implement advanced greenhouse gas inventories for livestock.

Sinead is originally from rural Ireland, has a passion for agriculture and hopes that through her work and research she can make a contribution to the knowledge and tools required by researchers, policy makers and farmers to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.

Dr. Sinead Leahy, Senior Scientist, the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC)

Ranking forage-based diets for ruminant methane and nitrogen emissions

Tsegay Teklebrhan Gebremariam

Integrating mitigation strategies to decrease methane emissions of dairy cows in pastoral systems

Juan de Jesus Vargas Martinez

Use of lipids in dairy systems as a strategy of adaptation and mitigation to climate change

Adégbéiga Cham Donald Alabi

Mitigation of methane emissions and capturing the effects of diet on GHG emissions from Finnish dairy production system

Babak Darabighane

Quantification of carbon footprints in dairy farms for various feeding management in Thailand

Abraham Abera Feyissa

Directed evolution of rumen microbial cultures towards the identification and stimulation of electron sinks alternative to methanogenesis

Muhammed Arowolo

Can acetate supply reduce methane emissions when providing highly fermentable diets in dairy cows?

Bulelani Pepeta


Special Session: Global agricultural production and emission trends | 30 September

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Professor Chevalier Dr. Porter is an eminent agricultural and climate change scientist and is internationally known in the fields of crop and agricultural ecology.

His main scientific contribution has been multi-disciplinary work in the response of crops to their environment with an emphasis on climate change and ecosystem services.

Professor Chevalier Dr. Porter, Emeritus Professor of Agriculture and Climate Change, University of Greenwich


Thematic Student Session: Rice Systems | 7 October

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Ole is a scientist in IRRI’s climate change research group with a focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation technologies

Dr. Bjoern Ole Sander, Senior Scientist and Climate Change Specialist, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Measurement of the methane oxidation potential and respiration rate in soils submitted to different uses

Sani Idris

Assessing impact of cover crop on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Project

Primitiva Andrea Mboyerwa

The GHG emission potential of the SRP practices for sustainable rice cultivation

Glory Edwards

Temporal patterns of methane emissions from rice in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: Impact of ambient meteorological condition

Tegegnework Gebremedhin Wolde

Post-harvest management in rice paddy fields for carbon budget optimization

Sruthi P

Assessing the economic and climate impacts of improved post-harvest practices along the rice value chain

Cuong Ong


Special Session: World Farmers Organization (WFO) Young Farmers Panel | 14 October

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Presenters to be confirmed. This session will connect CLIFF-GRADS with an international panel of young farmers for an open discussion.

WFO Gymnasium Programme Farmers Panel


Thematic Student Sessions: Soil Systems | 20 October

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

Ngoni’s work focuses on how innovation in agriculture can solve climate-related challenges for farmers and nations around the world. He is exploring new ideas that solve climate-related and food security issues and his work informs national and international climate mitigation processes. He was also a lead author on the IPCC’s 2019 Refinement to the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, where he focused on adapting the guidelines to meet the needs of developing countries.

Dr. Ngonidzashe Chirinda, Soil and Climate Change Scientist, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco

Greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon sequestration with tillage systems and crop types

Amahnui George Amenchwi

Assessing the impacts of contour-based water harvesting technologies, soil water retention membranes and nutrient management options on soil organic carbon accumulation and greenhouse gas emissions from coarse-textured soils in Zimbabwe

Antony Mlambo

Mapping soil organic carbon change to support climate change mitigation

Maria Eliza Turek

Using a Tier II Model (CQESTR) to predict Soil Organic Carbon Storage and CO2 emissions

Bethel Geremew Shefine

Assessment of total denitrification, nitrous oxide emissions, and nitrate leaching in pasture soils with and without shelterbelts

Ricardo Cesário dos Santos

Tracing the contribution of deep roots to soil carbon sequestration using isotopic tracers

Erick Rodrigo da Silva Santos

N2O consumption in subsoils: A hidden sink?

Chukwuebuka Christopher Okolo


Series Wrap Up | 28 October

Presentation

Speaker & affiliation

The 2020 CLIFF-GRADS Science Collaboration Series was developed to facilitate technical capability building, knowledge transfer and international collaboration for the CLIFF-GRADS Alumni. Particularly for the Round 3 CLIFF-GRADS whose research stays have been delayed due to the global Covid-19 Pandemic.

Dr. Sinead Leahy, Senior Scientist, New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC)

Dr. Ngonidzashe Chirinda, Soil and Climate Change Scientist, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco

Dr. Bjoern Ole Sander, Senior Scientist and Climate Change Specialist, International Rice Research Institute

Dr. Jacobo Arango, Environmental Biologist at the Tropical Forages Program at CIAT