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Carbon Sequestration and Land Degradation

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Climate and Land Degradation

Part of the book series: Environmental Science and Engineering ((ENVSCIENCE))

Abstract

Storing carbon (C) in soil as organic matter is not only a viable strategy to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere, but is vital for improving the quality of soil. This presentation describes (1) C sequestration concepts and rationale, (2) relevant management approaches to avoid land degradation and foster C sequestration, and (3) a summary of research quantifying soil C sequestration. The three primary greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, and N2O) derived from agriculture have increased dramatically during the past century. Conservation management practices can be employed to sequester C in soil, counter land degradation, and contribute to economic livelihoods on farms. Trees can accumulate C in perennial biomass of above-ground and below-ground growth, as well as in the deposition of soil organic matter. Minimal disturbance of the soil surface with conservation tillage is critical in avoiding soil organic C loss from erosion and microbial decomposition. Animal manures contain 40–60% C, and therefore, application to land promotes soil organic C sequestration and provides readily-available, recycled nutrients to crops. Green manures can be used to build soil fertility, often with leguminous plant species having symbiotic root associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Grasslands have great potential to sequester soil organic C when managed properly, but can also be degraded due to overgrazing, careless management, and drought leading to accelerated soil erosion and undesirable species composition. Opportunities exist to capture and retain greater quantity of C from crop and grazing systems when the two systems are integrated. Fertilization is needed to achieve production goals, but when applied excessively it can lead to environmental pollution, especially when considering the energy and C cost of manufacture and transport. Agricultural conservation management strategies to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere into soil organic matter will also likely restore degraded land and/or avoid further land degradation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, 1420 Experiment Station Road, Watkinsville, Georgia, 30677-2373, USA

    Alan J. Franzluebbers

  2. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, 2075, USA

    Paul C. Doraiswamy

Authors
  1. Alan J. Franzluebbers
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  2. Paul C. Doraiswamy
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Meteorology Division, World Meteorological Organization, 7bis Avenue de la Paix, P.O. Box 2300, 1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland

    Mannava V. K. Sivakumar

  2. Committee on Science and Technology (CST), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Hermann - Ehlers - Str. 10, D-53113, Bonn, Germany

    Ndegwa Ndiang’ui

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© 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Franzluebbers, A.J., Doraiswamy, P.C. (2007). Carbon Sequestration and Land Degradation. In: Sivakumar, M.V.K., Ndiang’ui, N. (eds) Climate and Land Degradation. Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72438-4_18

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