Program

Livestock production and nitrogen

In terms of nitrogen loss, livestock systems are still ineffective and untight. However the demand for meat and dairy products is continuously increasing in parallel with a growing world population and a shift in consumption patterns. It is therefore important to improve the efficiency of nitrogen use in livestock systems.

Optimizing the efficiency of nitrogen use in crop production

Cropping systems are open systems and fertilizer nitrogen is released in different forms into the environment. There are also feedbacks between nitrogen and other nutrient elements. Which new options/techniques (from organic farming to biotechnology) exist to close budgets as much as possible? What role do leguminous plants play?

Nitrogen air pollution affects human health

Health is affected by nitrogen emissions and their impacts on the atmosphere (NO2, secondary particulate matter, ozone). How big are the threats and which sources influence them? Which solutions for cleaner air and sustainable cities in traffic and industry are available?

Reduction of nitrogen in wastewater to ensure clean water and sanitation

Nitrogen outflow with unpurified wastewater is a major threat for ecosystem health and human well-being. Effective wastewater and sewage management is therefore essential for health and ecosystem quality.

Threats for terrestrial biodiversity – understanding of nutrient cycles and biosphere-atmosphere interaction

Threats for terrestrial biodiversity through nitrogen availability and understanding of terrestrial nutrient cycles including biosphere-atmosphere interaction will be addressed. Possibilities for better management to shield ecosystems and protected species from negative effects will be highlighted.

Threats for aquatic biodiversity by nitrogen flows – understanding of nutrient cycles

Threats for aquatic biodiversity through nitrogen availability and understanding of aquatic nutrient cycles including will be addressed.

How nitrogen influences our climate

Nitrogen affects climate change directly and indirectly. Examples are nitrous oxide emissions or interlinkages between the global biogeochemical N and CO2 cycles. This session will highlight these feedbacks between nitrogen emissions and climate, including global risk assessment and identification of tipping points.

Global assessments of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle: Observation and modeling

Nitrogen emissions influence global pathways of atmospheric and aquatic mass transport. Through modeling or satellite or ground-based observations, the quantification of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle is being continuously improved. This is an important basis for robust risk assessment.

Innovation and infrastructure

This session will highlight innovative ideas and developments in industry, traffic and agriculture. This includes potential advances such as remote sensing, biotechnology, closure of open systems, NO_x recapture, bioeconomy, recycling or transformational changes to the N cycle in order to reduce pollution.

Integrated approaches: From science to policy

Integrated science and policy approaches are necessary to solve complex problems. Normally, policy focuses on very few targets. Economic figures play an important role. Political discussions are often ruled by (over-) simplified pictures and equations. How to cope with the complex problems of reactive N compounds?

Educational aspects, public awareness, risk communication

Appropriate risk communication is key for public awareness. Is it ready for changing consumption habits of people? Tools like Nitrogen budgets, footprint calculators or cost-benefit analysis are currently being explored. Experiences from national dialogues or from Citizen Science projects may help to find the small path between panic and unconcern. Education plays an important role when looking into the future.

Nitrogen and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Meeting a major part of the SDGs goes hand in hand with an effective nitrogen management. Regional assessments highlight different nitrogen-related focal areas. Interdisciplinary research interlinking the different global regions and involving young scientists is important for sustainable nitrogen management with the aim of combating global inequality.

Different continent views on nitrogen

A series of parallel continent sessions will provide an opportunity to exchange cross-sectoral and –media views on continent specific nitrogen issues and approaches. As an example, the developments in nine years since the launch of the European Nitrogen Assessment (ENA) will be part of the Europe Session. To conclude, the various results will be compiled in the plenum and discussed in a panel discussion with participants from all continents.