Assessment of the ammonia abatement potential of different geographical regions and altitudinal zones based on a large-scale farm and manure management survey

Based on the results of a representative survey on farm management parameters relevant for ammonia emissions, a detailed assessment of the ammonia emission abatement potential in Switzerland was perfor-med using the N-flux model DYNAMO. The available statistical data allowed the differentiation of nine different geographical regions and altitudinal zones. In accordance with the present situation, a technically possible and a realistically feasible reduction potential was assessed for different abatement measures. Under the present situation, extended grazing of dairy cattle followed by technical and organisational manure application measures offer the most efficient reduction potential. The reduction potential of cove-ring open slurry stores is relatively low. The overall abatement potential for the combination of the four different abatement strategies results in an estimated realistically feasible reduction of approximately 20% of the ammonia emissions from livestock. Substantial differences of the abatement potential of measures could be observed between different geographical regions and altitudinal zones. The analysis allows to identify the most effective abatement measures specific for the different geographical regions and altitudi-nal zones and will be used for the preparation of practical recommendations on the most promising abate-ment measures specifically targeted to the different regions.