Managing orchards and vineyards for climate friendly outcomes
This three-part webinar series from the BC Food Web explored strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in orchards and vineyards across the Okanagan Valley. Experts presented findings from a regional soil carbon survey, shared insights into microbial processes driving nitrous oxide emissions, and used life cycle modelling to evaluate mitigation approaches like bark mulch and efficient irrigation. Together, the sessions offered practical, science-based guidance for fostering climate-friendly horticultural practices.
Part 1: Soil Organic Carbon
Soil carbon is vital to agricultural production, it plays a key role in nutrient cycling and water retention, soil structure and pest/disease control. A major part of this project was to develop a better understanding of how irrigated agriculture has impacted soil carbon levels in this semi-arid region of Canada. To do this we undertook an extensive soil survey across the Okanagan Valley, the results of this work are presented here.
About the presenters
Melanie Jones, PhD is a professor and faculty member in the Department of Biology, at UBC. She is the project lead for this work. Prof. Jones has a broad range of expertise in plant-soil carbon interactions and the physiology of ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Andrew Midwood, PhD is an experienced research scientist, with an interest is soil-plant interactions, biogeochemical cycling and the application and analysis of stable isotopes. He was responsible for the soil carbon survey of the Okanagan Valley.
Umma Farhana Khushi is a masters student at UBC working on a project to better understand the role inorganic carbon, found in irrigation water, and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
David Emde is a masters student at UBC working on a project to examine published work on soil carbon stock changes associated with irrigated agriculture and using meta-analysis techniques looks for consistent patterns on a global basis.
Part 2: The Microbial Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas nearly 300 times more potent than CO₂, is mainly produced by soil microbes through nitrification and denitrification. This session examined new ways to measure these microbes and how soil conditions and treatments, like moisture levels, nutrient amendments, and inhibitors, can influence their activity and emissions in Okanagan soils.
About the presenters
Dr. Louise Nelson is a retired professor in the Department of Biology at the University of British Columbia and co-investigator on this project. She has broad expertise in soil microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, biological control, soil nitrogen cycle and orchard management under climate change.
Dr. Tanja Voegel is a Research Associate in the Department of Biology at the University of British Columbia. She has experience in microbiology, plant pathology and the soil nitrogen cycle. She developed a methodology to quantify nitrifier and denitrifier abundances in soil. She currently studies grapevine crown gall.
Melissa Larrabee is a Research Technician in the Department of Biology at the University of British Columbia, with a MSc in Biology. Her experience is in postharvest pathogens of fruits, soil microbiology and the nitrogen cycle. She is studying how different soil applications affect greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils.
Katherine Jansen is a graduate student at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan campus, whose research is taking place in the Okanagan Region of British Columbia, where wineries and orchards are abundant thanks to the agreeable climate. Her research focuses on the use of different soil additives and practices to reduce the production of the greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N2O) from agriculture. Her hope is to help find methods for growers that are both cost-effective and easy to implement.
Part 3: Life Cycle Modelling
Horticulture relies on external inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel. Shifts in orchard technologies to cut greenhouse gas emissions can alter both input use and related life cycle emissions. This session highlighted life cycle modelling research on bark mulch and water-saving irrigation as strategies to reduce GHG impacts.
About the presenters
Dr. Pelletier is an Assistant Professor, jointly appointed in the Faculties of Arts and Sciences (Biology) and Management at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan. He is an ecological economist and industrial ecologist. His research focuses on developing and applying systems-level modelling tools for sustainability assessment of agricultural systems.
Nicole Bamber is a PhD student with Dr. Pelletier, studying the coupled environmental and nutritional impacts of Canadian field crops. She previously completed her MSc in the same lab on the environmental impacts of bark mulch use on Okanagan apple orchards.
Alyssa Smart is a Master’s student with Dr. Pelletier, comparing the environmental impacts associated with different irrigation technologies and infrastructure in the Okanagan.
