Responses of soil carbon sequestration to climate‐smart agriculture practices: A meta‐analysis

Bai, Xiongxiong; Huang, Yitao; Ren, Wei; Coyne, Mark S.; Jacinthe, Pierre-André; Tao, Bo; Hui, Dafeng; Yang, Jian; Matocha, Christopher J.

doi:10.1111/gcb.14658

Cited by 291 publications

(166 citation statements)

References 121 publications

(193 reference statements)

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“…Climate-smart agriculture is critical for achieving food and energy security and mitigating global warming and climate change [1,2]. Agricultural activities (e.g., land use change, soil tillage, and use of synthetic N fertilizers) account for 14% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of anthropogenic origin [3,4], which has intensified alterations in the planet's hydrological regimes in response to global climate change [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar Amendment Enhances Water Retention in a Tropical Sandy Soil

et al. 2020

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The use of biochar, which is the solid product of biomass pyrolysis, in agricultural soils, has been shown as a strategic solution for building soil carbon stocks and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, biochar amendment might also benefit other key soil processes and services, such as those that are related to water retention, particularly in sandy soils. Here, we conducted an experiment to investigate the potential of biochar to enhance pore size distribution and water retention properties in a tropical sandy soil. Three biochar rates were incorporated (equivalent to 6.25, 12.5, and 25 Mg ha−1) into plastic pots containing a sandy Oxisol sampled from a sugarcane field in Brazil. Undisturbed samples of the mixture were collected at two evaluation times (50 and 150 days) and used to determine water retention curves and other soil physical properties. The results showed that biochar amendment decreased soil bulk density and increased water retention capacity, micropore volume, and available water content. Higher soil water retention in amended soil is associated with the inherent characteristics of biochar (e.g., internal porosity) and potential improvements in soil structure. Microporosity and water retention were enhanced with intermediate biochar rate (12.5 Mg ha−1), instead of the highest rate (25 Mg ha−1) tested. Further studies are needed to validate these results under field conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar Amendment Enhances Water Retention in a Tropical Sandy Soil

et al. 2020

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“…In addition, they provide co-benefits such as soil-nutrient restoration, air and water filtration, fire management, and flood control. (See, e.g., Moomaw et al 2019;Moomaw 2017;Bastin et al 2019;Griscom et al 2017;Fargione et al 2018;Dooley et al 2018;Lal 2018;Bai et al 2019;Kane 2015;Rumpel et al 2018;Smith et al 2019;Wright 2017;Nature Conservancy 2016;Zomer et al 2016;Zomer et al 2017;Johnson (undated); Houghton and Nassikas 2018; Smith 2016). However, biological methods of carbon drawdown/sequestration are not the subject of this paper because it is mechanical-chemical methods that have gained the most legislative traction and public financial support.…”

Section: Biological Methods (Not Addressed In This Paper)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Carbon Capture: Public Policy, Science, and Societal Need

Sekera

Lichtenberger

2020

Biophys Econ Sust

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From typhoons to wildfires, as the visible impacts of climate change mount, calls for mitigation through carbon drawdown are escalating. Environmentalists and many climatologists are urging steps to enhance biological methods of carbon drawdown and sequestration. Market actors seeing avenues for profit have launched ventures in mechanical–chemical carbon dioxide removal (CDR), seeking government support for their methods. Governments are responding. Given the strong, if often unremarked, momentum of demands for public subsidy of these commercial methods, on what cogent bases can elected leaders make decisions that, first and foremost, meet societal needs? To address this question, we reviewed the scientific and technical literature on CDR, focusing on two methods that have gained most legislative traction: point-source capture and direct air capture–which together we term “industrial carbon removal” (ICR), in contrast to biological methods. We anchored our review in a standard of “collective biophysical need,” which we define as a reduction of the level of atmospheric CO2. For each ICR method, we sought to determine (1) whether it sequesters more CO2 than it emits; (2) its resource usage at scale; and (3) its biophysical impacts. We found that the commercial ICR (C-ICR) methods being incentivized by governments are net CO2 additive: CO2 emissions exceed removals. Further, the literature inadequately addresses the resource usage and biophysical impacts of these methods at climate-significant scale. We concluded that dedicated storage, not sale, of captured CO2 is the only assured way to achieve a reduction of atmospheric CO2. Governments should therefore approach atmospheric carbon reduction as a public service, like water treatment or waste disposal. We offer policy recommendations along this line and call for an analysis tool that aids legislators in applying biophysical considerations to policy choices.

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“…1 Bai et al 2019 Values displayed are averaged over a number of more differentiated analyses, e.g. for soil type, climatic zone, duration of the experiment, etc.…”

Section: Code References Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of agroecology to build climate-resilient livelihoods and food systems

Darmaun¹,

Leippert²,

Bernoux³

et al. 2020

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The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) or Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO or Biovision in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO or Biovisioin.

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Responses of soil carbon sequestration to climate‐smart agriculture practices: A meta‐analysis

Cited by 291 publications

References 121 publications

Biochar Amendment Enhances Water Retention in a Tropical Sandy Soil

Biochar Amendment Enhances Water Retention in a Tropical Sandy Soil

Assessing Carbon Capture: Public Policy, Science, and Societal Need

The potential of agroecology to build climate-resilient livelihoods and food systems

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