Soil carbon sequestration of Chinese Loess Plateau and Northeast Phaeozem Region

Abstract

Both Loess Plateau and Northeast Phaeozem Region of China are main ecologically fragile regions in China. The unique climate conditions and intensified human activities may alter the soil organic carbon (SOC) content in these regions, and hence affect the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystem and climate change. In order to understand the mechanism of organic carbon transformation under those specific climate conditions and to provide guidelines for increasing soil organic carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we survey the literatures on relationships between SOC dynamic changes and climate conditions. We show that SOC content is well correlated with temperature and moisture. In addition, soil carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change is only true if soil organic carbon sequestration management practices cause an additional net transfer of C from the atmosphere to land. One technology that can meet these requirements is biochar sequestration. After analyze the particular soil carbon sequestration conditions of Loess Plateau and Northeast Phaeozem region, we suggest that biochar sequestration in these two areas is promising.