Greenhouse gases and carbon dynamics of forestry
Author(s): Sirwan Yamulki
Sirwan Yamulki
BSc, MSc, PhD
Sirwan Yamulki
BSc, MSc, PhDSenior Scientist
Climate change
Alice Holt, Alice Holt Lodge, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey
About Sirwan Yamulki
Dr. Sirwan Yamulki joined Forest Research in 2006. He has over 30 years experience in soil greenhouse fluxes from agricultural management, land use and forestry. He studied for BSc and MSc (by research) in Agricultural/Soil Science at Cairo University, Egypt and PhD in Chemistry “Environmental Science” at the University of Birmingham (1989-1993). He joined the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER, North Wyke) as a project leader to several UK and EU funded projects before joining FR.
- Assessing GHG balance of forest and forest management
- GHG fluxes for afforested peatland
- GHG fluxes following land-use change
- Methodology developments to measure and understand stand-scale N2O, CH4 and CO2 fluxes; eddy covariance and modelling.
- Air pollution and forest ecosystem interactions
What Sirwan does
Senior Scientist – Climate Change
Sirwan’s research experience and interests concerns monitoring, quantifying and elucidating the interactions between climate variables and soil parameters on carbon and greenhouse gas (and other pollutant) dynamics of forestry and other land uses. Providing evidence to support the development of policy and guidance.
His work focuses on measurement techniques for simultaneous flux measurements of the major GHGs (i.e. CO2, CH4 and N2O) to provide robust data that takes account of the full GHG budget of forest soils and to assess how these differ with soil and forest type and with management and how it may be affected by land use change. Sirwan is also interested and has been involved in modelling approaches to assess forest ecosystem and soil GHG balances.
He has also been involved in a number of interdisciplinary projects looking in particular; at quantifying soil GHG fluxes following clear-fell harvesting, land use change for bioenergy crops and from afforested peatland and agricultural management.
Affiliations
- Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London
- Member of British Society of Soil Science
- Member of European Geosciences Union
- PhD and MSc supervisions
Research
Other Research
Greenhouse gases and carbon dynamics of forestry
Sirwan leads a number of projects to quantify the annual GHG (CO2, CH4 and N2O) fluxes from oak (Straits) and Stika spruce (Griffin and Harwood) forests.
NERC GREENHOUSE Project
We were partners in the GREENHOUSE consortium, working in the NERC GHG Emissions and Feedback programme (2013-2017). We contributed to measurements examining the effects of forest management on GHG emissions and uptake. In particular Sirwan studied the effects of clear-fell harvesting on soil CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes from an upland Sitka spruce forest in England.
Effect of forest soil microtopography
In collaboration with University of Edinburgh, Sirwan is assessing the effects of soil microtopography (ditch, mound, undisturbed) at an upland Sitka spruce plantation (Griffin Forest, Perthshire, Scotland) on annual GHG budget.
GHG fluxes for afforested peatland
Sirwan led a project at Flanders Moss site near Stirling in Central Scotland to assess how drainage of lowland peatland for forestry can affect the GHG balance.
Previous work focused on:
Quantifying the impact of agricultural management on GHG emissions
Investigating strategies to reduce emissions from main agricultural sectors
Investigating soil microbial processes and nutrient cycling.
Other Publications
Peer reviewed journal articles
Cade, S.M., Clemitshaw, K.C., Molina-Herrera, S., Grote, R., Haas, E., Wilkinson, M., Morison, J.I.L. and Yamulki, S. (2021) Evaluation of LandscapeDNDC Model Predictions of CO2 and N2O Fluxes from an Oak Forest in SE England. Forests, 12, 1517. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111517.
Yamulki, S., Forster, J., Xenakis, G., Ash, A., Brunt, J., Perks, M. and Morison, J.I.L. (2021) Effects of clear-fell harvesting on soil CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes in an upland Sitka spruce stand in England. Biogeosciences, 18, 4227–4241, 2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4227-2021.
Yamulki, S and Morison, J.I.L. (2017) Annual greenhouse gas fluxes from a temperate deciduous oak forest floor. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research, Volume 90, Issue 4, October 2017, Pages 541–552
Drewer, J., Yamulki, S., Leeson, S.R., Anderson, M., Perks, M.P., Skiba, U.M. and McNamara, N.P. (2017) Difference in Soil Methane (CH4) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Fluxes from Bioenergy Crops SRC Willow and SRF Scots Pine Compared with Adjacent Arable and Fallow in a Temperate Climate. BioEnergy Research, 10, 575-582.
Dondini, M., Richards, M., Pogson, M., McCalmont, J., Drewer, J., Marshall, R., Morrison, R., Yamulki, S., Harris, Z.M., Alberti, G., Siebicke, L., Taylor, G., Perks, M., Finch, J., McNamara, N.P., Smith, J.U. and Smith, P. (2015) Simulation of greenhouse gases following land-use change to bioenergy crops using the ECOSSE model. A comparison between site measurements and model predictions. Global Change Biology Bioenergy, 1-38 [doi: 10.1111/gcbb.12298]
Yamulki, S., Anderson, R., Peace, A. and Morison, J.I.L. (2013) Soil CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes from an afforested lowland raised peatbog in Scotland: implications for drainage and Restoration. Biogeosciences, 10, 1051-1065.
Skiba U., Jones S.K., Dragosits U., Drewer J., Fowler D., Rees R.M., Pappa V.A., Cardenas L., Chadwick D., Yamulki S. and Manning A.J. (2012) UK emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 367 no. 1593, 1175-1185.
Messenger, D.J., Fry, S.C., Yamulki, S. and McLeod, A.R. (2012) Effects of UV-B filtration on the chemistry and decomposition of Fraxinus excelsior leaves. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 47, 133-141.
Smith K.A., Dobbie K.E., Thorman R., Watson C.J., Chadwick D.R., Yamulki S. and Ball B.C. (2012) The effect of N fertilizer forms on nitrous oxide emissions from UK arable land and grassland. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 93, 127-149.
Blackwell, M.S.A., Yamulki, S. and Bol, R. (2010) Nitrous oxide production and denitrification rates in estuarine intertidal saltmarsh and managed realignment zones. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science. 87, 591-600.
Matthews, R.A., Chadwick, A.L., Blackwell, M.S.A. and Yamulki, S. (2010) Nitrous oxide emissions from small-scale farmland features of UK livestock farming systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 136, 192-198.
Devaney, D., Hodson, M.E., Godley, A.R., Purdy, K. and Yamulki, S. (2008). Impact of sewage sludge applications on the biogeochemistry of soils. Water Science & Technology, 57, 513-518.
Webb, J., Anthony, S.G., Yamulki, S. (2006) Validating the MAVIS model for optimizing incorporation of litter-based manures to reduce ammonia emissions. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.49, 1905-1913.
Rodhe, L, Pell, M. and Yamulki, S. (2006) Nitrous oxide, methane and ammonia emissions following slurry spreading on grassland. Soil Use and Management.
Petersen, S.O., Regina, K., Pöllinger, A., Rigler, E., Valli, L., Yamulki, S., Esala, M., Fabbri, C., Syväsalo, E and Vinther, F.P. (2006) Nitrous oxide emissions from organic and conventional crop rotations in five European countries. Agriculture, Ecosystem & Environment.112, 200-206.
Yamulki, S. (2006) Effect of straw addition on nitrous oxide and methane emissions from stored farmyard manures. Agriculture, Ecosystem & Environment. 112, 140-145.
Chatskikh, D., Olesen, J.E., Berntsen, J., Regina, K. and Yamulki, S. (2005) Simulation of effects of soil, climate and management on N2O emission from grasslands. Biogeochemistry. 76, 395-419.
Kenny, C., Yamulki, S., Blackwell, M., Maltby, E., French, P. and Birgand, F. (2004) The release of nitrous oxide from the intertidal zones of two European estuaries in response to increased ammonium and nitrate loading. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 4, 61-66.
Pinto, M., Merino, P., del Prado, A., Estavillo, J.M., Yamulki, S., Gebauer, G., Pietrzak, S., Lauf, J. and Oenema, O. (2004) Increased emissions of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide following tillage of a perennial pasture. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 70, 13-22.
Bol, R., Rockmann, T. Blackwell, M. and Yamulki, S. (2004) Influence of flooding on δ15N, δ18O, 1δ15N and 2δ15N signatures of N2O release from estuarine soils – a laboratory experiment using tidal flooding chambers. Rapid Communication in Mass Spectrometry, 18, 1561-1568.
Wrange, N., Lauf, J., del Prado, A., Pinto, M., Pietrzak, S., Yamulki, S., Oenema, O. and Gebauer, G. (2004) Distinguishing sources of N2O in European grasslands by stable isotope analysis. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 18, 1201-1207.
Bol, R., Toyoda, S., Yamulki, S., Hawkins, J., Cardenas, L. and Yoshida, N (2003) Dual isotope and isotopomer ratios of N2O emitted from a temperate grassland soil after fertilizer application. Rapid Communication in Mass Spectrometry, 17, 2550-2556.
Yamulki, S. and Jarvis, S.C. (2002) Short-term effects of tillage and compaction on nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane and carbon dioxide fluxes from grassland. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 36: 224-231.
Estavillo, J.M., Merino, P., Pinto, M., Yamulki, S., Gebauer, G., Sapek, A., Corré, W. (2002) Short term effect of ploughing a permanent pasture on N2O production from nitrification and denitrification. Plant and Soil, 239: 253-265.
Yamulki, S., Toyoda, S., Yoshida, N. Veldkamp E., Grant, B. and Bol R. (2001) Diurnal fluxes and the isotopomer ratios of N2O in a temperate grassland following urine amendment. Rapid Communication in Mass Spectrometry, 15, 1263-1269.
Jarvis, S.C., Yamulki, S. and Brown, L. (2001) Sources of nitrogen oxide emissions in intensive grassland management. Phyton, 41, 107-118.
Yamulki, S., Wolf, I., Bol R., Grant B., Brumme R., Veldkamp E., and Jarvis, S.C. (2000) Effects of dung and urine amendments on the isotope content of N2O released from grasslands. Rapid Communication in Mass Spectrometry, 14, 1356-1360.
Harrison, M., Granfell, J.L., Yamulki, S., Clemitshaw, K.C., Penkett, S.A., Cape, J.N. and McFadyen, G.G. (1999) Budget of NOy species measured at a coastal site. Atmospheric Environment, 4255-4272.
Yamulki, S. and Jarvis, S.C. (1999) Automated chamber technique for gaseous flux measurements: Evaluation of a photo-acoustic infrared spectrometer -trace gas analyser. Journal of Geophysical Research, 104, 5463-5469.
Yamulki, S., Jarvis, S.C. and Owen, P. (1999) Methane emission and uptake from soils as influenced by excreta deposition from grazing animals. Journal of Environmental Quality, 28, 676-682.
Oenema, O., Gebauer, G., Rodriguez, M., Sapek, A., Jarvis, S.C., Corre, W.J. and Yamulki, S. (1998) Controlling nitrous oxide emissions from grassland livestock production systems. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 52, 141-149.
Ellis, S., Yamulki, S., Dixon, E., Harrison, R. and Jarvis, S.C. (1998) Denitrification and N2O emissions from a UK pasture soil following the early spring application of cattle slurry and mineral fertilizer. Plant and Soil, 202, 15-25.
Yamulki, S., Jarvis, S.C. and Owen, P. (1998) Nitrous oxide emissions from excreta applied in a simulated grazing pattern. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 30, 491-500.
Oenema, O, Velthof, G.L., Yamulki, S. and Jarvis, S.C. (1997) Nitrous oxide emissions from grazed grassland. Soil Use and Management, 13, 288-295.
Yamulki, S., Harrison, R. M., Goulding, K.W.T. and Webster, C.P. (1997) N2O, NO and NO2 fluxes from a grassland: effect of soil pH. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 29, 1199-1208.
Yamulki, S., Harrison, R.M. and Goulding, K.W.T. (1996) Ammonia surface-exchange above an agricultural field in Southeast England. Atmospheric Environment, 30, 109-118.
Harrison, R.M., Yamulki, S., Goulding, K.W.T. and Webster, C.P. (1995) Effect of fertiliser application on NO and N2O fluxes from agricultural fields. Journal of Geophysical Research, 100, 25923-25931.
Yamulki, S., Goulding, K.W.T., Webster, C.P. and Harrison, R.M. (1995) Studies on NO and N2O fluxes from a wheat field. Atmospheric Environment, 29, 1627-1635.
Harrison, R.M., Msibi, M.I., Kitto, A-M. N. and Yamulki, S. (1994) Atmospheric chemical transformation of nitrogen compounds measured in the North Sea experiment. Atmospheric Environment, 28, 1593-1599.
FC and FR publications including official statistics
Carbon balance of Northern Ireland Forest Service, forest on deep peat – Forest Research Report, March 2021.
Vanguelova, E., Chapman, S., Perks, M., Yamulki, S., Randle, T., Ashwood, F. & Morison, J. (2018). Afforestation and restocking on peaty soils: new evidence assessment. In Report to CXC (ClimateXChange), Edinburgh, Scotland. 43pp.
https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/media/3137/afforestation-and-restocking-on-peaty-soils.pdf
Rees, R.M., Buckingham, S., Chapman, S.J., Jones, S., Lilly, A., Matthews, R.B., Morison, J.I.L., Perks, M., Vanguelova, E., Yamulki, S. and Yeluripati, J. (2018). Soil Carbon and Land Use in Scotland. Final Report. ClimateXChange, Edinburgh, 26pp.
Sirwan Yamulki (2017) Tree emissions of CH4 and N2O: Briefing and review of current knowledge. Briefing update for Forest Research, Oct 2017, 28 pp.
Morison, J., Matthews, R., Miller, G., Perks, M., Randle, T., Vanguelova, E., White, M. and Yamulki, S. (2012) Understanding the carbon and greenhouse gas balance of forests in Britain (PDF-7422K). Forestry Commission Research Report 18. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh. i–vi + 1–149 pp.
Vanguelova, E., Broadmeadow, S., Anderson, R., Yamulki, S., Randle, T., Nisbet, T. and Morison, J. (2011) A Strategic Assessment of afforested peat resource in Wales. Report for Forestry Commission Wales, Project No. 480.CY.00075, October 2012., 141 pp.
Morison, J.I.L., Vanguelova, E., Broadmeadow, S., Perks, M., Yamulki, S. & Randle, T. (2010) Understanding the GHG implications of forestry on peat soils in Scotland (PDF-2140K). Report for Forestry Commission Scotland, October 2010, Forest Research, 56pp.
Yamulki, S., Broadmeadow, S. and Skiba, U. 2012. Revised nitrous oxide emission estimates from forest soils in England, Scotland and Wales for the LULUCF inventory sector. Forest Research report.
Moffat, A.J., Benham, S., Morison, J.I.L., Pitman, R., Vanguelova, E.I., Wilkinson, M. and Yamulki, S. (2010) The value of forest monitoring in developing forest ecosystem science in Britain. In: John Derome – Ambassador for forest monitoring in Europe Memorial seminar, November 30th 2010, Rovaniemi, Finland, L Ukonmaanaho, K Derome, P Rauti and P Merilä eds. Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute 180. Finnish Forest Research Institute (METLA), Vantaa. Page 28.
Contract and project reports
Yamulki, S. (2005) Quantifying nitrous oxide and methane emissions from unmanaged areas of intensive grassland system DEFRA Annual Report CC0268 2004/05.
Smith, K., Thorman, R. and Yamulki, S. (2005) WP2 Nitrous oxide emissions. Restricted commercial (NT2605) final report to DEFRA.
Yamulki, S. and Jarvis, S.C. (2004) Greenhouse gas mitigation for organic and conventional dairy production, final report for DEFRA project CC0255. https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/item/857v1/greenhouse-gas-mitigation-for-organic-and-conventional-dairy-production
Petersen, S.O., et al. (2004) Region-specific nitrous oxide emissions factors for organic and conventional crop rotations, Deliverable No. 2.3 for EVK2-2000-22-45 (MIDAIR). Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, internal report no. 211.
Smith, K., et al. (2004) Nitrous oxide emissions, Report for DEFRA, project NT2603.
Yamulki, S. (2004) EU MIDAIR final reports for work package 2.2, 5.1 and 5.2 (Deliverable No. 2.3, 5.1 and 5.2).
Yamulki. S. (2002) Diurnal variation in nitrous oxide fluxes and impact on agricultural emissions factors. Final report for DEFRA, project CC0232.
Merino, P., Yamulki, S., Pinto, M., del Prado, A., Sapek, B., Pietrzak, S. (2000) Effects of soil pH and application of nitrogen fertilisers on emissions of nitrogen oxides from grassland: the Laszczki Experiment Effects of Liming and Nitrogen Fertiliser Application on Soil Acidity and Gaseous Nitrogen Oxide Emissions in Grassland Systems. In: Poland Agriculture and Water Quality Protection (eds. Oenema, O., Sapek, A.), pp.45-53. Institute for Land Reclamation and Grassland Farming (Instytut Melioracji i Uzytkow Zielonych – IMUZ), Falenty, Poland.
Yamulki, S., Joscelyne, P., Jarvis, S.C., Sapek, B., Pietrzak, S. (2000) Effects of soil pH and application of nitrogen fertilisers on emissions of nitrogen oxides from grassland: the Janki Experiment Effects of Liming and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Soil Acidity and Gaseous Nitrogen Oxide Emissions in Grassland Systems. In: Poland Agriculture and Water Quality Protection (eds. Oenema, O., Sapek, A.), pp. 54-60. Institute for Land Reclamation and Grassland Farming, IMUZ, Falenty, Poland.
Scholefield, D., Brown, L. Ross, C., Hobbs, P.J., Chadwick, D.R. and Yamulki, S. (2001) Greenhouse and pollutant gases from biogenic and unregulated sources, a preliminary study, R&D Technical report E1-071/TR.
Yamulki, S., Jarvis, S.C. (1999) Controlling gaseous nitrogen oxide emissions from grassland farming systems in Europe (COGANOG) 3rd and Final progress report of COGANOG (EU FAIR3 CT96-1920) project, IGER, North Wyke.
Ellis, S. A., Harrison, R. M., Yamulki, S., Dixon, E., Jarvis, S.C. (1996) The effect of management practices to reduce nitrate leaching in dairy systems on denitrification and nitrous oxide emission: an add-on experiment to the MIDaS study at ADAS Bridgets. MAFF final report: Joint ADAS / IGER research project (NT 1909).
Penkett, S.A., Cape, J.M., Harrison, R.M., Clemitshaw, K.C., McFadyen, G.G., Grenfell, L. and Yamulki, S. (1996) Field measurements and modelling studies of tropospheric photochemistry in coastal and upland regions. Final report of the NERC TIGER II.3 Consortium (GST/02/623), December 1996.
Trade journal and newsletter articles
Yamulki, S. and Martin, S. (2010) Forests and greenhouse gases: more than just CO2. Forestry and Timber News 38, 21-22.
Chadwick, D., Hobbs, P., Laws, J., Misselbrook, T. and Yamulki, S. (2006) Optimizing organic resources. IGER innovations no. 10, 30-35. https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/item/85qwx/optimising-organic-resources
Chadwick, D., Hobbs, P., Laws, J., Misselbrook, T. and Yamulki, S. (2005) Manures and farm resources. IGER innovations no. 9, 60-63. https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/item/859zx/manures-and-farm-resources
Yamulki, S. (2004) Greenhouse gas emission from organic and conventional farming system and options for mitigation. IGER innovations no. 8, 60-63. https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/item/858y5/greenhouse-gas-emission-from-organic-and-conventional-farming-systems-and-options-for-mitigation
Recent scientific conferences: presentations or posters
Sirwan Yamulki, Georgios Xenakis, Adam Ash, Vladimir Krivtsov, Mike Perks, and James Morison 2017. Effect of clear fell harvesting on soil GHG fluxes from an upland Sitka spruce forest in England. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 19, EGU General Assembly 2017.
Sylvia Toet, Ben Keane, Sirwan Yamulki, Emanuel Blei, Simon Gibson-Poole, Georgios Xenakis, Mike Perks, James Morison and Phil Ineson 2016. Upscaling of greenhouse gas emissions in upland forestry following clearfell. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 18, EGU2016-13775, 2016, EGU General Assembly 2016.
Harris,Z.M., Bottoms, E., Massey, A., McCalmont, J., Yamulki, S., McNamara, N., Finch, J., Donnison, I., Perks, M., Smith, P. and Taylor, G. 2013. First results from the UK network to establish the greenhouse gas balance of land conversion to second generation bioenergy willow, Miscanthus and short rotation forestry. Geophysical Research Abstracts, vol. 15, EGU2013, 13524-13523.