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Robust emission inventories of atmospheric pollutants are critical to understanding and predicting impacts, identifying key sources and mitigation opportunities. The objective of this study was to review the extent to which UK land management is accounted for as a source of emission of ammonia (NH₃), nitrous oxide (N₂O), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), organic nitrogen (Nₒᵣg), methane (CH₄), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), particulate matter (PM) and heavy metals (HM), in comparison with the current state of scientific knowledge; to ascertain whether there is evidence for significant gaps or that key emission sources have been overlooked. The processes leading to emissions of NH₃, N₂O and CH₄ are largely understood and all major sources are thought to be captured in the current inventory. Quantification of uncertainties in the estimates for some of these sources is still required, as is an assessment of the potential improvement in accuracy of estimates through the development of country-specific emission factors for N₂O and CH₄ in particular. There is limited knowledge about sources and processes leading to emissions of Nₒᵣg and the role that these may play in local and global nitrogen budgets. Land management is known to be a source of NOₓ, NMVOC and PM emissions, and potentially also HM emissions. Improved quantification is required to assess the importance of land management as a source of these pollutants in comparison with other sectors and, if appropriate, to determine the potential for mitigation.
