Carbon Sequestration Practices Research Articles

Unlocking the Benefits of Carbon Sequestration for Enhancing Soil Health

This abstract investigates the profound interconnection between carbon sequestration methods and soil health enhancement, crucial for sustainable land management. Evaluating various strategies, including cover cropping, reduced tillage, agroforestry, and biochar application, this study elucidates their role in augmenting soil organic carbon levels and fostering microbial diversity, thereby improving soil structure, water retention, nutrient cycling, and overall fertility. It examines the reciprocal impacts of carbon sequestration and soil health on agricultural yields, ecosystem resilience, and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, the research outlines barriers to widespread adoption, such as economic constraints and policy frameworks, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches and technological innovations. Overall, this study advocates integrating carbon sequestration practices into agricultural techniques as a pivotal step towards mitigating climate change and fortifying soil health for sustainable land use and resilient ecosystems.

Farmer’s Perception towards Mitigating Climate Change through Adoption of Soil Carbon Sequestration Practices: A Review Analysis

Climate change is one of the most severe global environmental issues. Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases (F) are the principal greenhouse gases (GHGs) whose atmospheric concentrations are escalating. According to [1], agricultural soils have the ability to mitigate GHG emissions by 89% through the sequestration of carbon and an additional 2% and 9% through the mitigation of N2O and CH4, respectively. The process of capturing and long-term stabilisation of CO2 in the soil is known as soil carbon sequestration. Increased food production, better soil health, diversified ecosystem services, and reduced environmental footprints are all the benefits of practices increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). These techniques include planting woods, managing nutrients by using compost, sludge and green manure, and mulching [2]. Additionally, they have the ability to reduce GHG emissions by up to 8% by mitigating around 18 Mg C ha-1 C year -1 (0-15 cm soil layer). Farmers and society as a whole may benefit from this approach [3]. Supporting campaigns and initiatives to boost soil C sequestration is crucial, both on a policy level and through programmes. Additional studies needs to be done to determine the benefits of C sequestration on soil quality precisely, which encourages farmers to adopt more C-positive agricultural practices that improve productivity, as well as water and air quality [4].

Future carbon storages of ecosystem based on land use change and carbon sequestration practices in a large economic belt.

Assessments of ecosystem carbon storage are needed to form the scientific basis for carbon policies. Due to lack of data, there are few accurate, large-scale, and long-term predictions of ecosystem carbon storage. This study used the Distributed Land-Use Change Prediction(DLUCP) model with ten socioeconomic and two climate change scenarios for a total of 20 combinations that take into account population increase, technology innovation, climate change, and Grain for Green Project to make high-resolution predictions of land use change in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Low and high carbon sequestration practices were considered to predict future carbon densities. Land use change data, carbon densities data, and the InVEST model were used to predict changes in ecosystem carbon storage from now to 2070. The results show a slight increase (1.88-4.17%) in carbon storage in the study area only based on land use change. Grain for Green Project has the largest impact on carbon storage among population increase, technology innovation, climate scenarios, and Grain for Green Project, which increases carbon storage by 4.17%. After the implementation of carbon sequestration practices, there is an increase in carbon storages from 28.51 to 56.77% in the study area from now to 2070, and increasing carbon storages of forest in each stream and carbon storage of cropland in downstream are efficient ways to achieve carbon neutralization.

Do carbon farming practices build bioavailable nitrogen pools?

AbstractAgricultural soils contain large amounts of nitrogen (N), but only a small fraction is readily available to plants. Despite several methods developed to estimate the bioavailability of N, there is no consensus on which extraction methods to use, and which N pools are critically important. In this study, we measured six soil N pools from 20 farms, which were part of a multi‐year soil carbon sequestration on‐farm experiment (Carbon action, 2019–2023). The aim was to quantify the N pools and to evaluate if farming practices that aim to build soil carbon pools, also build bioavailable N pools. We also aimed to test if the smaller and rapidly changing N pools could serve as an indicator for the slower change in soil organic matter. The measured N pools decreased in size, when moving from total N (7700 ± 1500 kg/ha) to slowly cycling (Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test ISNT‐N: 1063 ± 220 kg/ha, autoclave citrate‐extracted ACE protein N: 633 ± 440 kg/ha), water‐soluble organic N (50 ± 17 kg/ha), potentially mineralizable N (33 ± 13 kg/ha) and finally readily plant available inorganic pools (nitrate and ammonium, total: 14 ± 8 kg/ha). In total, the measured pools covered only 18%–44% of total N, indicating a large unidentified N pool, which is either tightly bound to soil mineral fraction and not easily extractable or is bound to undecomposed plant residues and not hydrolysed by the methods. Of the large N pools (ISNT‐N, ACE protein and unidentified residual N), clay, carbon (C) and C:Clay ratios explained most of the variability (R2 = .90–.93), leaving a minor part of the variation to the management effect. A pairwise comparison of carbon farming and control plots concluded that farming practices had a small (3%–5%) but statistically significant (p < .05) effect on soil total N and ISNT‐N pools, and a moderate and significant effect (18%, p < .01) on potentially mineralizable N. The large variation in protein N, water‐soluble organic N and inorganic N reduced statistical significance, although individual C sequestration practices had large effects (−30% to +50%). In conclusion, carbon sequestration practices can build both slowly cycling N pools (ISNT) and increase the mineralisation rate of these pools to release plant available forms, resulting in an additional benefit to agriculture through reduced fertilizer application needs.

Why do French winegrowers adopt soil organic carbon sequestration practices? Understanding motivations and barriers

Soil carbon sequestration (SCS) practices on French agricultural land are part of the portfolio of actions available to policymakers in the field of climate change mitigation and are central to the success of the “4 per 1,000” initiative, launched by France in 2015. To date, there has been limited research considering their applicability to vineyards. A survey was circulated to 506 French winegrowers to identify the adoption rate of six SCS practices in the viticultural sector (applying organic amendments, using biochar, returning pruning residues to the soil, no-tillage, cover cropping, and introducing or preserving hedges in the vineyard) and to explore motives and barriers to adoption. The survey also investigated ways of overcoming barriers to adoption and winegrowers' perception of agri-environment measures. Differences in motivations and barriers between SCS practices were found, and winegrowers themselves suggested a need for improved communication of evidence about SCS practices and better-targeted policy incentives to support adoption.

Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050

Food systems (FSs) emit ~ 20 GtCO2e/y (~ 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions). This level tends to raise given the expected increases in food demands, which may threaten global climate targets. Through a rapid assessment, evaluating 60+ scenarios based on existing low-emission and carbon sequestration practices, we estimate that intensifying FSs could reduce its emissions from 21.4 to − 2.0 GtCO2e/y and address increasing food demands without relying on carbon offsets (e.g., related to afforestation and reforestation programs). However, given historical trends and regional contexts, a more diverse portfolio of practices, including diet shifts and new-horizon technologies, will be needed to increase the feasibility of achieving net-zero FSs. One likely pathway consists of implementing practices that shift food production to the 30th-percentile of least emission-intensive FSs (~ 45% emissions reduction), sequester carbon at 50% of its potential (~ 5 GtCO2e/y) and adopt diet shifts and new-horizon technologies (~ 6 GtCO2e/y). For a successful transition to happen, the global FSs would, in the next decade (2020s), need to implement cost-effective mitigation practices and technologies, supported by improvements in countries’ governance and technical assistance, innovative financial mechanisms and research focused on making affordable technologies in the following two decades (2030–2050). This work provides options and a vision to guide global FSs to achieving net-zero by 2050.

Soil carbon sequestration as a climate strategy: what do farmers think?

Countries and companies with net-zero emissions targets are considering carbon removal strategies to compensate for remaining greenhouse gas emissions. Soil carbon sequestration is one such carbon removal strategy, and policy and corporate interest is growing in figuring out how to motivate farmers to sequester more carbon. But how do farmers in various cultural and geographic contexts view soil carbon sequestration as a climate mitigation or carbon removal strategy? This article systematically reviews the empirical social science literature on farmer adoption of soil carbon sequestration practices and participation in carbon markets or programs. The article finds thirty-seven studies over the past decade that involve empirical research with soil carbon sequestering practices in a climate context, with just over a quarter of those focusing on the Global South. A central finding is co-benefits are a strong motivator for adoption, especially given minimal carbon policies and low carbon prices. Other themes in the literature include educational and cultural barriers to adoption, the difference between developing and developed world contexts, and policy preferences among farmers for soil carbon sequestration incentives. However, we argue that given the rising profile of technical potentials and carbon credits, this peer-reviewed literature on the social aspects of scaling soil carbon sequestration is quite limited. We discuss why the social science literature is so small, and what this research gap means for efforts to achieve higher levels of soil carbon sequestration. We conclude with a ten-point social science research agenda for social science on soil carbon—and some cautions about centering carbon too strongly in research and policy.

Assessment of changes in soil organic carbon fractions and enzyme activities under apple growing ecosystems in temperate North-Western Himalayas

For better understanding about the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and enzyme activities in soil health management under intense cropping and fluctuating climatic scenario, we examined quantitatively the spatial distribution and relationship pattern of SOC (potassium dichromate oxidizable C (KCr2O7 -C), total organic carbon (TOC or SOC stocks) and SOC pools of labile organic carbon (LBC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) as well as enzyme activities viz:- dehydrogenase (DHA), urease (URE) and phosphatase (PPTase) under apple growing ecosystems in north western temperate Himalayas, India. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and spatial variability analysis of SOC attributes and enzyme activities were performed. Analysis of the results show consistent decline in SOC with depth and altitude exhibiting distinct spatial variability (CV = 15.7%–44.4%); representing significantly greater proportion in orchards of higher altitude by a margin of 346% and 295% and surface layers by 32% and 68% than sub-surface layers of those mid and lower altitudes. SOC stocks ranged from 32.1 to 94.6 Mg ha−1 with significant variation (CV = 18.0%–30.9%) between soil depths. Amongst labile carbon fractions, LBC observed significantly maximum spatial variability (CV = 15.0%–27.2%) followed by MBC (CV = 7.7%–20.6%) while as POC represents least non-significant variation (CV = 7.2%–15.5%). Although LBC (0.78 to 4.90 g kg−1) accounts for significant higher fraction (490%), MBC represents substantial reduction of 36% to 71% from surface to sub-surface layers. Decrease in microbial quotient (MQ) from an average value of 4.0% (surface) to 2.7% (sub-surface) indicates distinct spatial variability (CV = 7.5%–17.8%). The stratification ratio (SR) of SOC changed significantly amongst three altitudes varying from 2.75 to 3.96. For soil enzyme activities tested, DHA, URE and PPTase observed significant decline with depth showing maximum activity loss of 504% for URE followed by 470% for PPTase and 310% for DHA. Relationship studies recorded significantly positive correlation (p =0.05 and 0.01) for TOC with SOC and POC (0.752* and 0.814**) and between SOC and POC (0.675*), although SOC was best correlated with LBC (0.834**) and MBC (0.650**). All carbon fractions showed strong positive and significant (p = 0.05 and 0.01) relation with MBC and all enzymes (DHA, URE and PPTase) exhibited similar relationship with SOC (r = 0.638*), (r = 0.725*) and (r = 0.502**). Principal component analysis (PCA) summarized the spatial variation and relationship among SOC attributes and enzyme activities. These results of soil quality signature can be used to design and implement effective management measures in terms of addition of appropriate nutrients and effective carbon sequestration practices for soil health sustainability.

Factors influencing winegrowers’ adoption of soil organic carbon sequestration practices in France

The adoption of soil organic carbon sequestration (SCS) practices on agricultural land offers the double advantage of offsetting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving soil quality. However, little is known about the drivers that might influence winegrowers to adopt these practices, whose uptake remains low on viticultural land. Better understanding these drivers will be crucial to evaluate the efficacy of current policies in the viticulture sector in promoting and incentivising soil organic carbon sequestration in vineyards. This paper identified the factors influencing the adoption of SCS practices by winegrowers in France. A survey of 400 winegrowers investigated current rates of adoption and winegrowers’ perceptions of the practices. A binary logistic model suggested that winegrower’s age, being an independent winegrower, farm size, the number of workers hired, vine’s age, being certified High Environmental Value (HVE), being certified organic, practising irrigation, receiving subsidies, and winegrower’s perceived resources, attitude towards SCS practices and confidence significantly influenced the decision to adopt the practices, though their influence differed depending on the practice. The findings provide insights for GHG mitigation planning targeting the viticulture sector

Environmental efficiency in the agricultural sector of Latin America and the Caribbean 1990–2015: Are greenhouse gas emissions reducing while agricultural production is increasing?

The paper explores the relationship between production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agricultural sector of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) between 1990 and 2015. By appraising how GHG emissions have changed with respect to agricultural production (elasticity), we are able to classify countries into six decoupling states. While the decoupling elasticity provides information for assessing the evolution within countries, we introduce a performance ratio for country comparison by calculating GHG emissions over agricultural production for 2015 and using the global distribution as benchmark. The information from both measurements serves to identify various country and sub regional situations. The findings illustrate that countries with performance ratios in the top 25% and under the best-case elasticity scenario (of strong decoupling) are not necessarily the same as the ones usually identified under factor productivity analyses, suggesting that environment-specific policy incentives and tools play a key role in enhancing sustainable agricultural production. Another major finding is that very few countries in the region (and worldwide) are able to offset agriculture emissions with land use-related carbon sequestration practices. Lastly, the evidence on small Caribbean island-states reporting the worst-case elasticity scenario (of strong negative decoupling) and performance ratios close to the world median, further supports the need for development plans related to climate change mitigation and adaptation in this sub region.

Generating porosity during olivine carbonation via dissolution channels and expansion cracks

Abstract. The olivine carbonation reaction, in which carbon dioxide is chemically incorporated to form carbonate, is central to the emerging carbon sequestration method using ultramafic rocks. The rate of this retrograde metamorphic reaction is controlled, in part, by the available reactive surface area: as the solid volume increases during carbonation, the feasibility of this method ultimately depends on the maintenance of porosity and the creation of new reactive surfaces. We conducted in situ dynamic X-ray microtomography and nanotomography experiments to image and quantify the porosity generation during olivine carbonation. We designed a sample setup that included a thick-walled cup (made of porous olivine aggregates with a mean grain size of either ∼ 5 or ∼ 80 µm) filled with loose olivine sands with grain sizes of 100–500 µm. The whole sample assembly was reacted with a NaHCO3 aqueous solution at 200 °C, under a constant confining pressure of 13 MPa and a pore pressure of 10 MPa. Using synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography, the three-dimensional (3-D) pore structure evolution of the carbonating olivine cup was documented until the olivine aggregates became disintegrated. The dynamic microtomography data show a volume reduction in olivine at the beginning of the reaction, indicating a vigorous dissolution process consistent with the disequilibrium reaction kinetics. In the olivine cup with a grain size of ∼ 80 µm (coarse-grained cup), dissolution planes developed within 30 h, before any precipitation was observed. In the experiment with the olivine cup of ∼ 5 µm mean grain size (fine-grained cup), idiomorphic magnesite crystals were observed on the surface of the olivine sands. The magnesite shows a near-constant growth throughout the experiment, suggesting that the reaction is self-sustained. Large fractures were generated as the reaction proceeded and eventually disintegrated the aggregate after 140 h. Detailed analysis show that these are expansion cracks caused by the volume mismatch in the cup walls, between the expanding interior and the near-surface which keeps a nearly constant volume. Nanotomography images of the reacted olivine cup reveal pervasive etch pits and wormholes in the olivine grains. We interpret this perforation of the solids to provide continuous fluid access, which is likely key to the complete carbonation observed in nature. Reactions proceeding through the formation of nano- to micron-scale dissolution channels provide a viable microscale mechanism in carbon sequestration practices. For the natural peridotite carbonation, a coupled mechanism of dissolution and reaction-induced fracturing should account for the observed self-sustainability of the reaction.

Research and Development of a DNDC Online Model for Farmland Carbon Sequestration and GHG Emissions Mitigation in China.

Appropriate agricultural practices for carbon sequestration and emission mitigation have a significant influence on global climate change. However, various agricultural practices on farmland carbon sequestration usually have a major impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is very important to accurately quantify the effect of agricultural practices. This study developed a platform—the Denitrification Decomposition (DNDC) online model—for simulating and evaluating the agricultural carbon sequestration and emission mitigation based on the scientific process of the DNDC model, which is widely used in the simulation of soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics. After testing the adaptability of the platform on two sampling fields, it turned out that the simulated values matched the measured values well for crop yields and GHG emissions. We used the platform to estimate the effect of three carbon sequestration practices in a sampling field: nitrogen fertilization reduction, straw residue and midseason drainage. The results indicated the following: (1) moderate decrement of the nitrogen fertilization in the sampling field was able to decrease the N2O emission while maintaining the paddy rice yield; (2) ground straw residue had almost no influence on paddy rice yield, but the CH4 emission and the surface SOC concentration increased along with the quantity of the straw residue; (3) compared to continuous flooding, midseason drainage would not decrease the paddy rice yield and could lead to a drop in CH4 emission. Thus, this study established the DNDC online model, which is able to serve as a reference and support for the study and evaluation of the effects of agricultural practices on agricultural carbon sequestration and GHG emissions mitigation in China.

Evaluating non-industrial private forest landowner willingness to manage for forest carbon sequestration in the southern United States

Forest carbon sequestration is considered one of the most efficient strategies for climate change mitigation, and forests provide significant carbon storage in the United States. Non-industrial private forest (NIPF) ownership is the dominant ownership group in the southern US, but little is understood about landowners' willingness to manage forests for carbon sequestration. This study examines NIPF landowner willingness to delay final timber harvest for additional carbon sequestration despite unknowns about positive or negative impacts to profitability that result from carbon price fluctuations. Survey data from 735 landowners in the southern United States were used to estimate a probit model analyzing their participation behavior. Landowner willingness to participate in carbon sequestration practices was 55%, 25%, and 16% when such practices were more profitable, revenue neutral or less profitable than timber management only, respectively. Although many landowners would require a significant monetary incentive to participate in carbon sequestration, others would participate with little or no incentive. Those having recreational goals for their property were the most likely group to participate in carbon sequestration. Management changes (i.e., management plan and verification requirements) and carbon revenue were the two most important determinants of their probability of participation. In summary, this study provides a better understanding of the relationship between landowner participation and socioeconomic details, sequestration program attributes, attitudes, and behaviors. Designing education, incentive, and assistance programs that align with landowners' recreational goals would result in a low-cost carbon sequestration policy.

What carbon farming activities are farmers likely to adopt? A best–worst scaling survey

Transferring carbon from the atmosphere into terrestrial sinks through carbon sequestration practices (so-called ‘carbon farming’) has been proposed as an important component in Australia’s efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We use a Best–worst scaling survey to determine which carbon sequestration practices farmers would be most and least likely to adopt, and what factors were most important in any potential adoption decision. The survey was distributed to dryland cropping and mixed crop-livestock farmers in Western Australia. Farmers ranked improved soil quality and reduced soil erosion as the most important potential co-benefits of carbon farming. Factors discouraging farmers from participating in carbon farming contracts were policy and carbon price uncertainty and the uncertain impact of carbon farming practices on productivity and profitability. Farmers had strong preferences for stubble retention and no-till cropping practices as carbon farming strategies. The practices that farmers preferred least were applying biochar and planting trees. Farm and farmer characteristics, including (lack of) awareness of carbon farming policies and opinions about climate change, influence the potential willingness to adopt different carbon farming practices. Given recent policy uncertainty and farmer preferences revealed in this study, it is important to communicate potential co-benefits (rather than opportunities to earn compensation or carbon credits) to increase farmers’ engagement in carbon sequestration activities.

Agricultural soil carbon accumulation in North America: considerations for climate policy

The Kyoto Protocol introduces the possibility that changes in carbon stock on agricultural and forest land and soils may be counted against countries’ commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Including activities related to land use change and forestry in the international climate change agreement may stimulate new incentives for soil-conservation practices domestically. However, a primary criteria for their inclusion relates to the level of accuracy and transparency with which carbon stock changes can be assessed. Parties will also be concerned with the wider environmental impact of different sequestration practices, and the impact of offsets on overall emissions targets. This paper examines these issues for agricultural soils, considering recent research in North America. It is argued that incentives for carbon sequestration practices may need to be implemented independently of actual stock changes because farm-level soil monitoring would be very costly. In the USA, priority should be given to establishing incentives for cover crops and to expanding conservation tillage programs. These activities provide a range of ancillary environmental benefits. In contrast, improvements in biomass yield tend to rely on higher fertilizer inputs with their related environmental costs. Carbon accumulated through any of these activities is easily lost if the practices are discontinued, and so assessment procedures are needed that would avoid overestimating sequestration. Annual accumulation in agricultural soils could be equivalent to about 10% of Annex I carbon dioxide emissions, and therefore options for limiting sink credits from soils should be considered.