Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: How Different Ecosystem (Dis)Services Perspectives Alter Management Decisions of a Native Invasive Encroachment

Climate change is a complex and contentious public issue, but the risk-management options available to us are straightforward and have well-characterized strengths and weaknesses.

The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) is a case-study of the Anthropocene “great accelerations,” with exponentially increasing temperatures and sea level over time, leading to rapid change in other ecosystem components. In nearly all these interconnected changes and across scales, primary producers play a major role, with diverse effects that mitigate or exacerbate rapid change induced by climate or other human-driven perturbations. Through this anthropocentric lens, primary producers can be viewed as performing numerous ecosystem services—which ultimately benefit humans—as well as ecosystem disservices, which have negative effects on human communities. For example, through carbon sequestration, wetlands can perform ecosystem services of mitigating warming at a global scale and combating relative sea-level rise at a local scale, while generating food that supports regional food webs and fisheries. On the other hand, invasive aquatic vegetation (IAV) can trap sediment before it reaches wetlands, exacerbating local subsidence and relative sea-level rise while incurring great costs to recreation, fishing, and agencies tasked with its control. Effectively managing these ecosystem services and disservices requires understanding of how they are connected. For example, wetland restoration often creates opportunities for IAV, which may inhibit sediment deposition on the wetland and outcompete native species. As the Delta science community works toward a more integrative understanding of how different components of the Delta interact as a whole and across scales, the pervasive effects of the ecosystem services and disservices of primary producers serve as foundational knowledge. In this topically themed edition of State of Bay-Delta Science, we review these effects. Individual chapters focus on the historical ecology of the primary productivity of aquatic vegetation, the ecology and control of invasive aquatic vegetation, harmful algal blooms, carbon sequestration and subsidence reversal by wetlands, and remote sensing methods for quantifying the ecosystem services and disservices of Delta primary producers.

Different vegetation types used for the extensive green roofs have characteristic physiological and morphological traits (e.g., C3, C4, or CAM photosynthesis, deciduous or evergreen). Several Sedum species are recognized as “inducible CAM” type plants. These differences in the physiological and morphological traits have a considerable effect on the carbon sequestration in the green roofs. The objective of the present study was to quantify the carbon sequestration in several green roof plants during the first year after the construction of the green roofs and to clarify the relevance of the physiological and morphological traits to each plant’s ability to sequester carbon in its body using the growth analysis method. We used Zoysia matrella , Ophiopogon japonicus , and Sedum mexicanum species for the study wherein, S. mexicanum was assigned to the wet, dry, and non-irrigation treatments, and Z. matrella and O. japonicus only received the wet treatment. During the first year after the construction, carbon sequestration in the plants and the substrate of S. mexicanum was in the range of 276 to 364 g-C/m2/year, which was similar to that of O. japonicus and the finding of a previous study. In contrast, Z. matrella exhibited the highest carbon sequestration (670 g-C/m2/year), which is also expressed as the relative plant C-sequestration rate per whole-plant C-content (RGRc), because Z. matrella is a C4 plant and exhibits the highest net assimilation rate (NARc) of all species. Significant differences were not observed in RGRc , NARc , and RMF (root mass fraction) in S. mexicanum between the wet and dry treatments. These results suggest that in countries with high rainfall, a high frequency of irrigation has an insignificant effect on the physiological and morphological characteristics, and carbon sequestration in the Sedum green roofs.

Urban and peri-urban agriculture under climate change: A review on carbon emissions and sequestration

A significant approach for reducing the effects of climate change is carbon sequestration, which is the process of absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The potential for carbon sequestration to lower greenhouse gas concentrations has significant effects on human welfare and ecological services. The present study was designed to assess carbon storage and sequestration by using the InVEST model in Chandigarh, India. The study highlights the effects of carbon sequestration on ecosystem services and human well-being. While increases in CO2 levels may boost crop yields, they pose significant risks to long-term climate stability. Enhancing carbon storage in an urban environment can notably improve air quality and mitigate climate change impacts. In addition, carbon sequestration has a critical role in soil formation and nutrient cycling, which is essential for maintaining ecosystem health. The findings reveal a significant increase in built-up areas and a reduction in green spaces despite regulations implemented by authorities. The InVEST model results indicate a decrease in carbon storage from 5.8 × 10⁵ Mg in 2013 to 4.9 × 10⁵ Mg in 2023. This shift resulted in a decline in carbon storage and negative carbon sequestration. Total carbon sequestration for this period was -8.2 × 10⁴ Mg, suggesting carbon emissions exceeded sequestration. Chandigarh experienced a notable decrease in green cover and agricultural land, with built-up areas increasing by 21% from 2013 to 2023. Further, economic analysis through net present value indicated a financial loss for the city due to higher carbon emissions outweighing sequestration. It advocates the implementation of participatory sensing to raise awareness and prioritize multifunctional landscapes, ensuring sustainable ecosystems and mitigating adverse effects on ecosystem services. The results emphasize the simultaneous use of carbon sequestration as a socioeconomic and environmental instrument, supporting a well-rounded strategy that gives equal weight to ecological sustainability and community well-being. The present study contributes to the larger conversation on sustainable urban development in India by offering helpful information to environmental stakeholders, politicians, and urban planners.

The many opportunities for mitigating atmospheric carbon emissions in developing countries include reforesting degraded lands, implementing sustainable agricultural practices on existing lands and slowing tropical deforestation. This analysis shows that over the next 10 years, 48 major tropical and subtropical developing countries have the potential to reduce the atmospheric carbon burden by about 2.3 billion tonnes of carbon. Given a central price of $10 per tonne of carbon and a discount rate of 3%, this mitigation would generate a net present value of about $16.8 billion collectively for these countries. Achieving these potentials would require a significant global effort, covering more than 50 million hectares of land, to implement carbon-friendly practices in agriculture, forest and previously forested lands. These estimates of host-country income potentials do not consider that outside financial investment may or may not be available. Our calculations take no account of the additional benefits of carbon sequestration in forest soils undergoing reforestation, increased use of biomass and reduced use of fossil-fuel inputs and reduced agricultural emissions. In all events, realizing these incomes would necessitate substantially greater policy support and investment in sustainable land uses than is currently the case.

Carbon storage and sequestration in a eucalyptus productive zone in the Brazilian Cerrado, using the Ca-Markov/Random Forest and InVEST models

The impact of organic fertilizers on the carbon source/sink balance of tobacco soil ecosystem remains controversial. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different fertilization treatments(no fertilizer,chemical fertilizer, chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer) on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissionsincludingsoil carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), ammonia volatilization and comprehensive greenhouse effects. The results showed that tobacco soil ecosystem can be carbon source orsink, depending mainly on the carbon sequestration of the plant. Comparing with chemical fertilizer, the combined application of chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer increased the CO2emission flux and C emission from soil, and significantly increased the carbon sequestration of tobacco plants. The carbon sequestration function of organic fertilizer was closely related to the carbon accumulation of tobacco plants. Comparedwith the chemical fertilizer, soil ammonia volatilization and N2O emission flux were increased by adding organic fertilizer. Both the soil N emission and the biological nitrogen fixation were increased by organic fertilizer. The greenhouse gas emission intensity(GHGI)of organic fertilizer treatment decreased by 14.60%, a remarkable emission reduction, whilethe tobacco yield of organic fertilizer treatment increased 19.12%. Therefore, increasing organic fertilizer in tobacco planting fields is an important way to promote tobacco yield, carbon sequestration and emission reduction.© 2021 Friends Science Publishers

Tree plantation and soil water conservation enhances climate resilience and carbon sequestration of agro ecosystem in semi-arid degraded ravine lands

Under the dual constraints of economic development and ecological carrying capacity, it is necessary to explore more technical means to achieve carbon neutrality and peak in China. Plants are important carriers of terrestrial and marine carbon sink systems, whereas phytoremediation is also a scientific method to remedy environmental pollution. However, the current studies mostly focus on the single aspect of plant carbon sequestration (including both the reduction of pollutant concentrations in environmental media and degradation of pollutants) or plant pollution reduction, without considering the dual benefits of plant pollution reduction and carbon sequestration. In order to explore the carbon neutral effect of plants, we focused on the pollution reduction and carbon sequestration effect of carbon neutral plants and its progress and evaluated the pollution reduction and carbon sequestration potential of carbon neutral plants and other organisms (such as animals and soil microorganisms) and environmental functional materials. The mechanisms underlying the synergistic coupling of carbon neutral plants and animals, microorganisms, and environmental functional materials and ecosystems in reducing pollution and carbon sequestration were also explored. Finally, we proposed constructive prospects for future research on the effects of carbon neutral plants on pollution reduction and carbon sink.

Matching supply and demand for ecosystem services in the Yellow River Basin, China: A perspective of the water-energy-food nexus

Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions for different rice cultivation practices

BackgroundNatural resources within and around urban landscapes are under increasing pressure from ongoing urbanisation, and management efforts aimed at ensuring the sustainable provision of ecosystem services (ES) are an important response. Given the limited resources available for assessing urban ES in many cities, practical approaches for integrating ES in decision-making process are needed.MethodsWe apply remote sensing techniques (integrating LiDAR data with high-resolution multispectral imagery) and combined these with supplementary spatial data to develop a replicable approach for assessing the role of urban vegetation (including invasive alien plants) in providing ES and ecosystem disservices (EDS). We identify areas denoting potential management trade-offs based on the spatial distribution of ES and EDS using a local-scale case study in the city of Cape Town, South Africa. Situated within a global biodiversity hotspot, Cape Town must contend with widespread invasions of alien plants (especially trees and shrubs) along with complex socio-political challenges. This represents a useful system to examine the challenges in managing ES and EDS in the context of urban plant invasions.ResultsAreas of high ES provision (for example carbon sequestration, shade and visual amenity) are characterized by the presence of large trees. However, many of these areas also result in numerous EDS due to invasions of alien trees and shrubs – particularly along rivers, in wetlands and along the urban edge where tall alien trees have established and spread into the natural vegetation (for example increased water consumption, increased fire risk and reduced soil quality). This suggests significant trade-offs regarding the management of species and the ES and EDS they provide.ConclusionsThe approach applied here can be used to provide recommendations and to guide city planners and managers to fine-tune management interventions at local scales to maximise the provision of ES.

Urban areas have unique assemblages of species which are governed by novel ecological processes. People living in these environments have specific needs and demands in terms of ecosystem services (ES). Urban ecosystems are transformed in many ways by human activities and their floras comprise a high proportion of alien plant species, many of which were intentionally introduced to provide, augment or restore ES. Urban environments also have novel disturbance regimes and provide colonization sites for the establishment, dispersal and proliferation of alien plant species; such conditions often generate biological invasions which may cause marked changes to ES. We review the roles that alien plants play in providing urban ES and ecosystem disservices (EDS) globally. We identify the main ES and EDS associated with alien plants, and highlight the key species involved. A literature search revealed 335 papers, representing studies in 58 cities or urban areas in 27 countries. These studies recorded 337 alien plant species, contributing to 39 different ES and 27 EDS–310 species were recorded as contributing to ES and 53 species to EDS. A small number of alien plant taxa were frequently recorded as providing multiple ES in many urban ecosystems; the 10 most recorded species accounted for 21% of the ES recorded. Some of these species also result in significant EDS; three species accounted for 30% of the EDS recorded. Cultural services (notably aesthetics) are the most reported ES provided by alien plants in urban areas of developed countries, while provisioning services (notably food production) are most reported in developing countries. The most commonly studied EDS provided by alien plants is the impact on human health (notably allergic reactions). Eighty percent of studies on alien plants and ES and EDS have been done in developed countries. To elucidate the full range of effects of alien plants, more work is needed in developing countries. Urban planners and managers need to be mindful of both the positive and negative impacts of alien plant species to maximise the provision of ES.

Future carbon management during energy production will rely on carbon capture and sequestration technology and carbon sequestration methods for offsetting non-capturable losses. The present study quantifies carbon sequestration via reforestation using measurements and modeling for recent and legacy surface coal mining grasslands that are re-restored through tree planting. This paper focuses on a case study of legacy coal mining sites in the southern Appalachia the United States. This five million-hectare region has a surface mining footprint of approximately 12% of the land area, and the reclamation method was primarily grassland. The results of the soil carbon sequestration rates for restored forest soils approach 2.0 MgC ha−1 y−1 initially and average 1.0 MgC ha−1 y−1 for the first fifty years after reclamation. Plant, coarse root and litter carbon sequestration rates were 2.8 MgC ha−1 y−1 with plant carbon estimated to equilibrate to 110 MgC ha−1 after forty years. Plant, root and litter carbon stocks are projected to equilibrate at an order of magnitude greater carbon storage than the existing conditions, highlighting the net carbon gain. Reforestation of legacy mine sites shows carbon sequestration potential several orders of magnitude greater than typical land sequestration strategies for carbon offsets. Projections of future scenarios provide results that show the study region could be carbon neutral or a small sink if widespread reforesting during reclamation was implemented, which is contrary to the business-as-usual projections that result in a large amount of carbon being released to the atmosphere in this region.