Global Livestock Methane Emissions Per Square Kilometer

Methane emission estimates from nine animal types, calculated per square kilometer on a one-degree latitude/longitude grid. The data was compiled by NASA/Goddard Institute for Space Studies using FAO and other animal population statistics, with a total annual global emission estimate of 75.8 teragrams. The primary reference publication is from June 1988.

Use Cases

• Model atmospheric methane concentration gradients using the 75.8 teragram annual emission total and its latitudinal distribution.
• Analyze spatial variability of livestock emissions by comparing the methane production values across the 180x360 global grid cells.
• Correlate sub-national animal population densities for countries like the USA, China, and India with their local emission estimates.
• Validate regional emission inventories by comparing the one-degree resolution methane emission data against local survey data.

Strengths

• Global coverage with 180 rows by 360 columns of data on a one-degree grid.
• Derived from nine distinct animal population density datasets, including sub-national data for seven major countries.
• Total annual global methane emission estimate of 75.8 teragrams is provided.

Limitations

• Data is temporally stale, with a primary reference publication date of June 1988.
• Original data files are in legacy ASCII and binary formats, requiring conversion for modern analysis.
• Specific column names and individual animal type emission breakdowns are not detailed in the provided description.

Provenance

Source

Compiled at NASA/Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) from Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and other sources.

Collection Method

Animal population densities were distributed across a one-degree grid; published methane production estimates per animal type were applied to calculate emissions.

Time Range

Annual estimate, circa 1988.

Freshness

1988-06-01

Geography

Global, with sub-national boundaries for Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, USA, and the former USSR.