Carbon for soils, not soils for carbon

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(9), P. 2384 - 2398

Published: Jan. 16, 2023

Abstract The role of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration as a ‘win‐win’ solution to both climate change and food insecurity receives an increasing promotion. opportunity may be too good missed! Yet the tremendous complexity two issues at stake calls for detailed nuanced examination any potential solution, no matter how appealing. Here, we critically re‐examine benefits global SOC strategies on mitigation production. While estimated contributions vary, almost none take saturation into account. show that including in estimations decreases contribution by 53%–81% towards 2100. In addition, reviewing more than 21 meta‐analyses, found observed yield effects are inconsistent, ranging from negative neutral positive. We find promise win‐win outcome is confirmed only when specific land management practices applied under conditions. Therefore, argue existing knowledge base does not justify current trend set agendas focusing first foremost sequestration. Away climate‐smart soils , need shift soil‐smart agriculture adaptative adapted each local context, where multiple functions quantified concurrently. Only such comprehensive assessments will allow synergies sustainability maximised agronomic requirements security fulfilled. This implies moving away targets agricultural soils. occur along this pathway contribute should regarded co‐benefit.

Language: Английский

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Novel technologies for emission reduction complement conservation agriculture to achieve negative emissions from row-crop production

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(28)

Published: June 21, 2021

Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Because agriculture’s productivity is based on this process, a combination of technologies to reduce emissions and enhance soil storage can allow sector achieve net negative while maintaining high productivity. Unfortunately, current row-crop agricultural practice generates about 5% greenhouse gas in United States European Union. To these emissions, significant effort has been focused changing farm management practices maximize carbon. In contrast, potential largely neglected. Through innovations digital agriculture, crop microbial genetics, electrification, we estimate that 71% (1,744 kg CO 2 e/ha) reduction row agriculture possible within next 15 y. Importantly, emission lower barrier broad adoption by proceeding multiple stages with meaningful improvements gradually facilitate transition practices. Emerging voluntary regulatory ecosystems services markets will incentivize progress along pathway guide public private investments toward technology development. difficult quest for all tools, including storage, must be developed maintain its critical societal function provisioning society while, at same time, generating environmental benefits.

Language: Английский

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Photosynthetic limits on carbon sequestration in croplands

Geoderma, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 416, P. 115810 - 115810

Published: March 15, 2022

How much C can be stored in agricultural soils worldwide to mitigate rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, and at what cost? This question, because of its critical relevance climate policy, has been a focus soil science for decades. The amount additional organic (SOC) that could estimated various ways, most which have taken the as starting point: projecting how SOC previously lost restored, example, or calculating cumulative effect multiple management strategies. Here, we take different approach, recognizing photosynthesis, source input soil, represents fundamental constraint sequestration. We follow simple “Fermi approach” derive rough but robust estimate by reducing our problem series approximate relations parameterized using data from literature. distinguish two forms C: ‘ephemeral C’, denoting recently-applied plant-derived is quickly decayed CO2, ‘lingering C,’ remains long enough serve lasting repository derived atmospheric CO2. First, global net inputs into lingering croplands primary production, biomass removal humans short-term decomposition. Next, storage cropland globally inputs, accounting also decomposition already present. Our results suggest maximum rate pool 0.44 Pg yr−1, sequestration 0.14 yr−1 – significantly less than previous estimates, even allowing acknowledged uncertainties. More importantly, argue re-orientation emphasis processes towards wider ecosystem perspective, with photosynthesis.

Language: Английский

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Belowground processes and sustainability in agroecosystems with intercropping

Plant and Soil, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 476(1-2), P. 263 - 288

Published: May 28, 2022

Language: Английский

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Large-scale ecosystem carbon stocks and their driving factors across Loess Plateau

Carbon Neutrality, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: Feb. 7, 2023

Abstract The large-scale vegetation restoration project on the Loess Plateau increased ecosystem carbon (C) stocks and affected C budget in arid semi-arid ecosystems. specific details affecting stocks, their distribution, dependence land use climate were never presented generalized. We assessed effects of factors soil properties through field investigation across Plateau. total four ecosystems: forestlands [0.36], shrublands [0.24], grasslands [1.18], farmlands [1.05] was 2.84 Pg (1 = 10 15 g), among which 30% stored topsoil (0–20 cm), 53% above-ground biomass, 17% roots. density decreased according to from southeast (warm dry) northwest (cold moist) with increasing temperature (from 5 °C), but precipitation 200 700 mm). Variation partitioning analysis structural equation models indicated that more explained by compared properties. This supports theory empirical findings large scale pattern is predominantly regulated Our results highlight are predestined store other ecosystems, roots substantial should be considered when assessing strongly contributes organic matter formation. suggest investing can an effective strategy for meeting part reduction goals mitigate change, necessary validating parameterizing worldwide.

Language: Английский

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