Ecosystem carbon sequestration through restoration of degraded lands in Northeast India

Abstract

This study evaluated the ecosystem carbon (C) stock and sequestration potential for predominant land uses converted from forest in Northeast India to advance the scientific knowledge and minimize the anthropogenic C emissions from land use change (LUC). Field assessments were conducted on 6 predominant land uses including (a) natural forest (NF), (b) degraded forest (DF), (c) rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantation (RP), (d) Areca (Areca catechu) plantation (ArP), (e) pan (Piper betle) jhum (slash and mulching) agroforestry (PB), and (f) Imperata grassland (IG) of Northeast India to assess changes in ecosystem C stock with progressive and retrogressive LUC. Ecosystem C stock was the highest for NF (300.5 Mg ha À1) and the lowest under IG (110.4 Mg ha À1 ). The ecosystem C stock under PB and IG was 11% and 63%, respectively, lower than that under NF. In comparison with DF, the gain in ecosystem C was in the order PB (125%) > RP (99%) > ArP (4%). The ratio of soil organic carbon to ecosystem C stock was~50% for NF, PB, and RP and that shifted to~80% for ArP/DF/IG. The LUC and management of DF through PB and RP indicated the ecosystem C sequestration rate of 5 and 4 Mg ha À1 year À1, respectively. Similarly, the ecosystem C sequestration rate was 0.5 and 4 Mg ha À1 year À1 , respectively, when IG was converted into ArP and RP. Therefore, restoration of degraded lands (viz., DF and IG) through RP and PB enhanced ecosystem C sequestration rate and reduced CO 2 emissions from LUC.

Land cover transitions and changing climate conditions in the Polish Carpathians: Assessment and management implications

“…In contrast, heterogeneous agricultural areas decreased markedly in the studied catchments and their upper parts, whereas no significant changes were found for arable land, permanent crops, or pastures. In addition, the ongoing reforestation process may contribute to the increase of the natural value of this mountain region, because the dense forest cover effectively protects the soil against erosion and excessive sediment transport during floods (Biro, Pradhan, Buchroithner, & Makeschin, ; Lizaga, Quijano, Palazón, Gaspar, & Navas, ; Wyżga et al, ) and facilitates carbon sequestration attenuating climate warming (Bonan, ; Brahma et al, ).…”

Fired Bricks: CO2 Emission and Food Insecurity

“…Data presented reveal the magnitude of annual CO 2 emission from the fired‐brick industry is alarming. At the present rate of C sequestration potential of Indian forests (≈4 Mg C ha −1 yr −1 ), ≈3 Mha afforestation is required per annum to offset the emission from the fired‐brick industries, which is an unfeasible option in a land‐scarce country. Nevertheless, rehabilitation of degraded lands to accelerate carbon sequestration is a viable option to offset emission from fired brick industry and other anthropogenic activities.…”

“…Agroforestry practices such as the fertilizer tree (fast‐growing nitrogen‐fixing) systems have been known to improve SOC build‐up in depleted soils . The soil carbon sequestration potential (0.5–0.8 Mg C ha −1 yr −1 ) of traditional agroforestry systems in India is higher than that of agricultural systems such as rice‐paddy and comparable to that of single‐species tree‐crop systems of rubber, areca, and coconut . Promotion of agroforestry ( Piper betle agroforestry) and plantations (e.g., rubber, bamboo, etc.)…”

“…Promotion of agroforestry ( Piper betle agroforestry) and plantations (e.g., rubber, bamboo, etc.) in those lands may significantly improve SOC stock in depleted soils in India . Rehabilitating abandoned brick kilns through bamboo plantation development in villages of Kotwa and Rahimabad of Allahabad, India over a time period of seven years (1996–2003) enhanced SOC sequestration from almost 0 (in 1996) to 0.7 (in 2003) Mg ha −1 yr −1 in the surface soil .…”

Soil enzyme activity and stoichiometry along a gradient of vegetation restoration at the Karst Critical Zone Observatory in Southwest China

“…SOM contains soil organic carbon (C) and nutrients (including nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]) and is recognized as a key indicator of soil health and productivity in agricultural systems (Dungait et al, ). The turnover of SOM and release of nutrients is mediated by the soil microbial community (e.g., bacteria and fungi including mycorrhiza) that also play a role in soil stabilization through the formation of soil aggregates, through the process of ‘soil self‐organization’ (Young & Crawford, ), increasing the potential for successful vegetation colonization and succession by improving soil quality, that is, nutrient and water retention and supply and diffusion of gases through soil pores (Brahma et al, ).…”