Storage of soil carbon is not sequestration: Straightforward graphical visualization of their basic differences

Baveye, Philippe C.; Berthelin, J.; Tessier, D.; Lemaire, G.

doi:10.1111/ejss.13380

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Vineyard soils in semi-arid areas are notably depleted of organic carbon [11,[13][14][15]. It is worth noting that an increase in SOC does not necessarily equate to SOC sequestration [16]. The quality of SOM refers to its ability to persist in the soil, forming stable SOM.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ten-Year Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Organic Matter Quantity and Quality in Semi-Arid Vineyards

Jiménez-González,

López-Romano,

Carral

et al. 2023

Land

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Soil organic matter depletion is a significant concern in agricultural soils, impacting crucial aspects of ecosystem health, especially soil properties such as fertility and soil moisture retention. Adopting sustainable soil management practices, such as cover crops, can mitigate this issue. In this study, we analyzed the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and quality in vineyards using two distinct management methods: permanent spontaneous cover crops and conventional tillage. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was quantified and chemically characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy. Our results showed an increase of 4.7 Mg C/ha in the carbon stock (50 cm depth) after 10 years of implementing vegetation covers compared with tilled soil. Additionally, cover crop management increased less humified soluble carbon in surface soil layers, while tillage transformed the solubilized carbon. This finding is important because tilled soil becomes more accessible to microbial degradation and leaching, which, in the long term, leads to a SOM content decrease. In conclusion, an increase in carbon stock was observed when using cover crops due to the incorporation of fresh organic matter, whereas tilled soils showed a depletion of carbon stock, including the mobilization of more stable carbon.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ten-Year Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Organic Matter Quantity and Quality in Semi-Arid Vineyards

Jiménez-González,

López-Romano,

Carral

et al. 2023

Land

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“…However, this is causing SOC depletion at another site where the sediment was derived from and thus, no net SOC increase ( C sequestration ) is achieved. Additionally, climate change mitigation effects were often claimed to be related to the size of the existing SOC stock at a single site (Baveye et al., 2023); however, the protection of existing SOC stocks is only a measure for climate change mitigation if in the business‐as‐usual scenario soils are losing SOC. In either case, C sequestration in soils is not achieved since there is no net uptake of C from the atmosphere.…”

Section: Pitfalls Of Using the Term C Sequestration In Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To produce negative emissions, a measure needs to change the soil from a GHG source to a GHG sink, considering possible leakage. Furthermore, the terms C sequestration and SOC storage are often used synonymously, but have different implications (Baveye et al, 2023). SOC storage is used as either (i) a quantity, that is, the amount of SOC (e.g., SOC stock) or (ii) a process, that is, an increase in SOC stocks over time for a given land unit.…”

Section: Definiti On Of C S Eque S Tr Ati On: Ne T Up Tak E Of Co Fro...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon sequestration in soils and climate change mitigation—Definitions and pitfalls

Don,

Seidel,

Leifeld

et al. 2023

Global Change Biology

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The term carbon (C) sequestration has not just become a buzzword but is something of a siren's call to scientific communicators and media outlets. Carbon sequestration is the removal of C from the atmosphere and the storage, for example, in soil. It has the potential to partially compensate for anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and is, therefore, an important piece in the global climate change mitigation puzzle. However, the term C sequestration is often used misleadingly and, while likely unintentional, can lead to the perpetuation of biased conclusions and exaggerated expectations about its contribution to climate change mitigation efforts. Soils have considerable potential to take up C but many are also in a state of continuous loss. In such soils, measures to build up soil C may only lead to a reduction in C losses (C loss mitigation) rather than result in real C sequestration and negative emissions. In an examination of 100 recent peer‐reviewed papers on topics surrounding soil C, only 4% were found to have used the term C sequestration correctly. Furthermore, 13% of the papers equated C sequestration with C stocks. The review, further, revealed that measures leading to C sequestration will not always result in climate change mitigation when non‐CO2 greenhouse gases and leakage are taken into consideration. This paper highlights potential pitfalls when using the term C sequestration incorrectly and calls for accurate usage of this term going forward. Revised and new terms are suggested to distinguish clearly between C sequestration in soils, SOC loss mitigation, negative emissions, climate change mitigation, SOC storage, and SOC accrual to avoid miscommunication among scientists and stakeholder groups in future.

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How important is carbon sequestration in phytoliths within the soil?

de Tombeur,

Hodson,

Saunders

et al. 2024

Plant Soil

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Background and aims An overlooked fraction of the terrestrial carbon (C) pool is that associated with biogenic silica deposited in plants (phytoliths), so-called PhytOC. This fraction is small compared with the main C pools, but is of interest because it could be a long-term C sink as phytoliths may protect organic C from mineralization. However, the topic is hotly contested and unclear due to both methodological and theoretical limitations. Scope We aim to review this topic, with specific emphasis on: (i) the range of C concentrations associated with phytoliths; (ii) soil phytolith preservation and subsequent organic C mineralization; and (iii) global estimates of C sequestration within PhytOC. Conclusions Recent work has suggested that [PhytOC] could be much greater than currently acknowledged, but also highly variable and dependent on cell silicification types. A short case study using cryo‐Scanning Electron Microscopy (cryo-SEM), X‐ray microanalysis (EDX), plus Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) on the culms of a sedge (Schoenus caespititius) confirmed this thinking. Understanding of both phytolith and PhytOC fates in soil is poor. We suggest that phytolith residence time should be seen as a gradient. Such a continuum is explained by different phytolith sizes, types and chemistry, which will also have contrasting PhytOC. Our estimation of C sequestration as PhytOC each year (11–190 Tg C yr−1) represents between < 1% and 13% of the C that could be sequestered globally in soils (estimated at 1400 Tg C yr−1). We conclude that (1) more research is needed to improve our understanding of the formation and fate of PhytOC in terrestrial ecosystems and (2) it would be unwise to put our faith in PhytOC sequestration or other related methodologies to “solve” the climate crisis.

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Storage of soil carbon is not sequestration: Straightforward graphical visualization of their basic differences

Cited by 8 publications

References 45 publications

Ten-Year Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Organic Matter Quantity and Quality in Semi-Arid Vineyards

Ten-Year Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Organic Matter Quantity and Quality in Semi-Arid Vineyards

Carbon sequestration in soils and climate change mitigation—Definitions and pitfalls

How important is carbon sequestration in phytoliths within the soil?

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