31 Nol, L., Heuvelink, G.B.M de Vries, W. Kros, J. Moors, E.J. Verburg, P.H. 2009 Global Biogeochemical Cycles Temporal dynamics, N2O inventory models, fen meadows, rainfall distribution, scale, emission factor <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;">Most countries use a one-year-resolution emission factor approach (Tier 1 or 2) to estimate terrestrial N₂O emissions as part of their national greenhouse gas inventory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little attention has so far been paid to the effect of lumping temporal variation, while <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the effect can be very large due to the strong dynamics of N₂O emissions. We <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>analyzed the effect of temporal resolution by comparing annual N₂O emissions from <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>two models, one with a daily temporal resolution (DNDC) and one with an annual <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>temporal resolution (INITIATOR). Emissions were simulated for two intensively managed grassland plots in Dutch fen meadows for 2001-2006. Results showed that annual N₂O emissions from the investigated grasslands are very sensitive to rainfall <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>distribution within the year, especially to summer rainfall. It is therefore recommended that Tier 2 N₂O emission estimates for intensively managed fen <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>meadows in the temperate climate zone are adjusted for the relative summer rainfall.</span></span></p>