Feature Story: The Conversation: Farm ponds can act as greenhouse gas sinks in the Canadian Prairies

Abstract

Farming is considered one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases in Canada. New research suggests that small farm ponds in the Prairies actually capture nitrous oxide, a key component of farm emissions.

Climate change has sparked considerable research into what are known as the sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in natural and modified ecosystems. Aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, wetlands and ponds play a significant role in landscape greenhouse gas emissions.