Sequestering Carbon Through Land Use Changes: A Review
Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases is essential to limit global temperature rise. Carbon sequestration is a critical strategy to reduce the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigate the effects of climate change. This review paper focuses on the potential of land use changes to sequester carbon in soils and vegetation and discusses the potential benefits and challenges of this approach.
Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere in soils, vegetation, and other carbon pools in order to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Land use changes, such as changes in cropping systems, grazing practices, and forestry activities, have the potential to sequester large amounts of CO2. The amount of carbon stored is dependent on the type of land use change and the type of soil, vegetation, and climate of the region.
Soil carbon is the largest terrestrial carbon pool and land use changes can increase organic carbon pools in the soil. For instance, converting cropland to grassland can increase soil carbon levels due to the deeper rooting of grasses and increased organic matter inputs from grazing. Furthermore, shifts to agroforestry systems can increase soil carbon levels due to the increased presence of trees and their associated root systems.
Changes in vegetation can also sequester carbon. For instance, reforestation of degraded land can increase the amount of carbon stored in vegetation, as well as in the soil. Other land use changes, such as shifts from conventional agriculture to conservation agriculture, can also increase the amount of carbon stored in vegetation.
In addition to sequestering carbon, land use changes can also bring other benefits such as improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and improved water quality. Land use changes can also have negative impacts, such as increased soil erosion and decreased food production. The potential benefits and challenges of land use changes must be carefully considered when planning for carbon sequestration.
In conclusion, land use changes have the potential to sequester large amounts of carbon in soils and vegetation. This approach can bring multiple benefits, including improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and improved water quality. However, there are also potential challenges that must be considered when planning for land use changes for carbon sequestration.
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